Man injured after crashing car into motel

UPDATE — 5:00 p.m. Tuesday May 31st, 2016 (EDT)

One man was taken to the hospital after his vehicle ended up hitting a motel early Monday morning in Strongs.

Chippewa County Sheriff’s deputies say the incident happened around 1:45 a.m. on M–28 and Strongs Road. A vehicle driven by Joseph Mehaffey of Delta County left the roadway, went through a ditch and into a bar and gas station parking lot, narrowly missing the gas pumps. The vehicle then ran into a parked van, causing both to strike the wall of a nearby motel. Occupants of the motel avoided injury. Mehaffey was taken to the hospital for treatment. He was combative and uncooperative, but due to his injuries, he was not immediately arrested. Alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

STRONGS — One man was taken to the hospital after his vehicle ended up hitting a motel early Monday morning in Strongs.

Officials from the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office say the incident happened shortly before 2:00 a.m. on M-28 and Strongs Road. Upon arrival, deputies found that the vehicle driven by Joseph W. Mehaffey of Delta County had left the roadway, went through a ditch and into a bar and gas station parking lot, narrowly missing the gas pumps. The vehicle then ran into a parked van. Both vehicles crashed into the wall of a nearby motel.

Police say several occupants were sleeping inside the motel, but none were injured. Mehaffey was transported to War Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Police say he was combative and would not cooperate with emergency workers or hospital staff, but due to his injuries, he was not immediately arrested.

Alcohol and speed were factors in the crash. The investigation into the incident will be turned over to the Chippewa County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Sheriff’s deputies were assisted at the scene by Superior Ambulance and the Hulbert Fire Department.

[Photo courtesy Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office.]