Posted on 06/13/2007 5:53:23 AM PDT by Abathar
PAW PAW, Mich. -- A truck driver whose rig snagged a man in his wheelchair and unknowingly pushed him at speeds up to 50 mph for miles will not face any criminal charges, authorities said.
Van Buren County prosecutor Juris Kaps said investigators determined the semi accidentally hit the wheelchair, the Kalamazoo Gazette reported Tuesday.
Ben Carpenter, 21, of was attempting to pass in front of the truck June. 6 when the light at an intersection turned green and the 52-year-old driver, who was not identified, started to move.
The wheelchair turned forward and its handles got lodged in the grille in Paw Paw, about 140 miles west of Detroit. The rig continued picking up speed and pushing the wheelchair, with Carpenter strapped in it, down the highway until pulling into the parking lot of a trucking company.
Police said the wheelchair was pushed about four miles, but Donald Carpenter, the man's father, said the actual distance was about half that.
Ben Carpenter, who lives near Kalamazoo and has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, was not injured.
“E” Ticket ride.
You're dating yourself....
Was the wheelchair rolling? If so, I am amazed that its bearings did not fail.
Now he knows what a june bug must feel like......
I keep having flashbacks of Kramer pulling Newman in the rickshaw.
So are you. I assumed only the old timers would get the connection.
Carpenter might want to consider investing in a flag on a pole or something.
Had to go look that one up.
And I’m not that young.
“I suggest a flag on it,”
Exactly! There is public housing full of disabled next to the grocery where I shop.
Driving though the parking lot is like driving though a playground.
Flag the things!
Since the driver was not charged with any wrongdoing, the cynic in me thinks that young Mr. Carpenter figured he had a “right” to pass in front of the truck. (or any other vehicle)
I’m surprised he hasn’t been on Leno yet. We need to get him a moniker or something. Captain June Bug, The Grillmaster, Bumperman or something. If William Hung got his 15 minutes of fame this guy should get something too!
Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug.
He was attempting to cross a street in the wheelchair while the light was green. The Semi was stopped for the red light. While the soon to be June bug was crossing ... the light changed and the result was a long fast ride.
I still have a few of those laying around in my dresser drawer, thanks for making me feel so old.....
"Ben Carpenter, 21, of was attempting to pass in front of the truck June. 6 when the light at an intersection turned green and the 52-year-old driver, who was not identified, started to move."
According to the article, he was in the intersection when the light turned green. A lot of handicapped feel like they have a 'gold card' to do whatever they want.
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