A Cheboygan man, 29, sustained injuries on Monday when his pickup truck became airborne on Inverness Trail in Beaugrand Township. According to the Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Department, the incident occurred after the driver, Beau Brian Hanel, experienced a seizure.
Reports indicate that Hanel’s vehicle veered off the road, colliding with a driveway before launching into the air for approximately 45 feet. The truck subsequently struck a tree and a telephone pole, causing power lines to fall onto the vehicle. A neighbor, who heard the crash, provided immediate assistance and pulled Hanel from the wreckage. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transported Hanel to McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey. He sustained minor injuries and was not wearing a seat belt.
Deputy Brad Renwick of the road patrol division commented on the gravity of the situation: “I just want to note that the neighbor who assisted on pulling the driver from the vehicle is lucky to be alive. The truck struck a power pole with a transformer and there were several lines down on the truck. Thankfully there was not power to the lines after the crash so the truck was not energized. Had there been power to the lines it could have been a different outcome.”
