Deputy rescues man trapped in burning vehicle

On Sunday 08-04-2019 at 8:15 PM, Lapeer County 911 dispatched Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies to an injury traffic crash on Mount Morris Road west of Caitlin Road in Columbiaville (Lapeer County’s Oregon Township). A witness observed a pickup truck departed the roadway, strike a tree, overturn, and smoke was present. Lapeer County Sheriff’s Sergeant Don Brady was a few miles away and arrived within two minutes. The driver and lone occupant was trapped after striking a tree head-on with significant enough force to displace the engine block into the passenger compartment. Sgt. Brady observed active flames originating from the engine and successfully extinguished the fire after multiple applications from a fire extinguisher. Sgt. Brady rendered aid until fire and emergency medical services arrived several minutes later. It was determined that the 2017 Chev Silverado was traveling west on Mount Morris Road. The vehicle departed the north side of the roadway and traveled within the ditch for approximately a quarter mile. The vehicle struck a section of field fence prior to striking the tree head-on. After striking the tree, the vehicle overturned. The driver and lone occupant was a 56 year old male from Mount Morris. Columbiaville Fire Department and Marathon Township First Responders extricated the driver utilizing hydraulic tools (a.k.a “Jaws of Life”). The driver was transported to Hurley Medical Center in Flint in serious condition with life threatening injuries. The roadway was closed for approximately two hours for rescue and investigative purposes by the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit. Preliminary information supports that excessive speed is a factor in this traffic crash. It has not been determined if either alcohol or drugs are factors until toxicology results are available. This remains an open investigation by Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies.

Information provided by the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office.