Oakland County Driver Hits Pole, Flips Fiery SUV, Trapping Him Inside: Sheriff

INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, MI — A man was seriously injured Wednesday morning in Independence Township after crashing his SUV into a light pole, causing the vehicle to roll over and catch fire while he was trapped inside, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said.

Officials said the 53-year-old Goodrich man was driving a 2013 Dodge Journey south on Michigan 15 at Dixie Highway around 1 a.m. when he drove through the intersection and into the parking lot of Bowman Chevrolet.

The SUV then hit a pole, rolled over and caught fire, trapping the driver inside, officials said.

Independence Township fire personnel quickly put out the fire and found the driver trapped inside the SUV's backseat, officials said.

The driver was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, officials said. He was not wearing a seatbelt. Officials do not believe drugs or alcohol played a factor in the crash, they said.

There were no other passengers inside the SUV and none of the vehicles in the lot were hit, officials said.