Car Bursts Into Flames After Crashing Into Gas Line At Duplex
MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ) - Police say one person is hospitalized and another is on the run after a chain-reaction accident sent a vehicle crashing into a gas line at a Mount Clemens duplex, setting off a fire.
The situation unfolded around 2 a.m. Friday when Macomb County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the Marathon gas station on Gratiot Avenue near Park Street for an "assault in-progress." As deputies were en route, they received updated information that two people who had been involved in the incident were now fleeing from the scene.
As deputies arrived in the area, they observed a gray Saab that was travelling "at excessive speeds" on northbound Gratiot, turn onto westbound Gallup Street in an attempt to flee from police.
Deputies turned onto Gallup Street and watched as the Saab drove through a stop sign and crashed into a silver Hyundai that was traveling southbound on North Avenue.
The impact forced the Hyundai to careen into a duplex residence on North Avenue, where the vehicle hit a gas meter and burst into flames. The driver, a 25-year-old Mt. Clemens man, was able to safely get out of his vehicle and was transported to the hospital with multiple lacerations. He's expected to fully recover.
The fleeing Saab came to rest on the front lawn of the same residence. The driver exited the vehicle and ran from the scene on foot, according to police. A passenger who stayed in the vehicle was interviewed at the scene, police said.
Deputies then evacuated four residents of the two-unit dwelling, which was on fire. The Fire Department quickly responded and extinguished the flames. No further injuries were reported.
Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said police have identified the hit-and-run driver as a 37-year-old Mt. Clemens man, and plan to make an arrest Friday. The man's name was not immediately released.
The incident remains under investigation.
