Wheelchair user taken on 50-mph ride
Chair becomes lodged on semitrailer's grille, travels 4 miles on highway
The Associated Press
PAW PAW, Mich. - 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.
Prank call?
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?â€â€™ 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.
Chair becomes lodged on semitrailer's grille, travels 4 miles on highway
The Associated Press
PAW PAW, Mich. - 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.
Prank call?
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?â€â€™ 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.
