By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
DENMARK TOWNSHIP — A wrong turn caused a 69-year-old Midland man to drive down railroad tracks, leading to a vehicle fire and landing him behind bars.
About 9:15 a.m., Sunday, Troopers from the Michigan State Police Post in Caro and Richville Firefighters were dispatched to Bradford Road, near M-46, for a vehicle on fire on the railroad tracks.
The investigation determined the vehicle had been traveling northbound on Tressla Road when the driver turned east onto the railroad tracks and traveled over two miles on the tracks before the 2006 Chevy Equinox caught fire.
What caused the vehicle to catch fire is unknown. Although the vehicle was destroyed in the blaze, the uninjured driver was located near the vehicle by Richville Firemen.
“The driver was arrested for operating while intoxicated and trespassing on railroad property,” explained the MSP press release.
The driver was taken to the Tuscola County Jail and is awaiting arraignment in 71-B District Court. The name of the driver cannot be released until he is arraigned.
The railroad, owned by Huron and Eastern Railway, sustained significant damage from the fire.
The troopers were assisted at the scene by the Richville Fire Department, Huron and Eastern Railway, and Fabbro’s Towing.
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.
