Published: July 18, 2008 09:57 am         

Man faces drunken driving charges

TRAVERSE CITY -- A man with seven prior drunken driving convictions faces new charges.

Freddie Elmer Buchanan Jr., 50, is charged with third-offense drunken driving, operating without security and unlawful use of license plates. A Grand Traverse sheriff's deputy arrested him Monday.

The deputy said he stopped Buchanan's vehicle for an improper plate and because Buchanan wasn't wearing a seat belt, court records show. Buchanan smelled strongly of alcohol and had difficulty maintaining his balance, the deputy said.

Buchanan has seven prior operating while intoxicated or operating while impaired convictions dating back to 1981, records show. A preliminary examination is scheduled for July 31.