milivica
06-07-2007, 03:33 PM
Truck takes man in wheelchair on a wild ride
POSTED: 7:56 a.m. EDT, June 7, 2007
Story Highlights
• Michigan man's wheelchair becomes lodged in the grille of a semitrailer
• The 21-year-old is unharmed but is taken to the hospital as a precaution
• Truck driver unaware of what had happened until officers stopped him
PAW PAW, Michigan (AP) -- A man was taken on a wild ride when his wheelchair became lodged in the grille of a semitrailer and was accidentally pushed down a highway for four miles at about 50 mph, authorities said.
The 21-year-old man, whose name was not released, was unharmed but was taken to a hospital as a precaution. He had been secured to his wheelchair by a seat belt.
"The man spilled his soda pop, but he wasn't upset," said Sgt. Kathy Morton of the Michigan State Police.
About 4 p.m. Wednesday, a caller told police dispatchers, "You are not going to believe this: There is a semi truck pushing a guy in a wheelchair on Red Arrow Highway," state police said in a release.
Authorities initially wondered whether the report was a prank call until others called with similar reports.
Officers stopped the truck -- wheelchair still attached -- at a trucking company. The driver didn't believe officers until he stepped from his cab and saw for himself.
"When he saw us, he was like, 'What's going on?' " Morton said.
An investigation revealed the man in the wheelchair had pulled in front of the truck at a gas station, and it somehow became lodged by its handles to the front grille.
POSTED: 7:56 a.m. EDT, June 7, 2007
Story Highlights
• Michigan man's wheelchair becomes lodged in the grille of a semitrailer
• The 21-year-old is unharmed but is taken to the hospital as a precaution
• Truck driver unaware of what had happened until officers stopped him
PAW PAW, Michigan (AP) -- A man was taken on a wild ride when his wheelchair became lodged in the grille of a semitrailer and was accidentally pushed down a highway for four miles at about 50 mph, authorities said.
The 21-year-old man, whose name was not released, was unharmed but was taken to a hospital as a precaution. He had been secured to his wheelchair by a seat belt.
"The man spilled his soda pop, but he wasn't upset," said Sgt. Kathy Morton of the Michigan State Police.
About 4 p.m. Wednesday, a caller told police dispatchers, "You are not going to believe this: There is a semi truck pushing a guy in a wheelchair on Red Arrow Highway," state police said in a release.
Authorities initially wondered whether the report was a prank call until others called with similar reports.
Officers stopped the truck -- wheelchair still attached -- at a trucking company. The driver didn't believe officers until he stepped from his cab and saw for himself.
"When he saw us, he was like, 'What's going on?' " Morton said.
An investigation revealed the man in the wheelchair had pulled in front of the truck at a gas station, and it somehow became lodged by its handles to the front grille.