News Report

Battle Creek Enquirer
Man's car goes on automatic pilot in Leroy

A Paw Paw man destroyed his car Wednesday after putting his toolbox in the driver's seat. Calhoun County sheriff deputies said the accident happened when the man attempted to free his car from a muddy field by placing the toolbox on the accelerator, then getting behind the car and trying to push it free. The man said he was lost in the Leroy Township area about 10:15 a.m. When he backed into a field to turn around on 1/2 Mile Road near J Drive South, the car became stuck in the mud, said Lt. James McDonagh. "After several attempts to free the car, the man placed his toolbox on the vehicle accelerator, exited the vehicle and attempted to push the vehicle free," McDonagh said. "The man was successful in freeing the vehicle, although unsuccessful regaining control of the vehicle." Deputies said the full-size Mercury sedan accelerated across a cut soybean field with the man running behind. The car reached an estimated speed of 100 mph, traveled a half-mile, sometimes becoming airborne. The car then struck a tree. Deputy Steve Hinkley, an accident reconstructionist, said the impact crushed the car back to the windshield and he used the damage to estimate the speed. The man, whose name was not released by deputies, was not hurt. No tickets were issued in the incident.

Originally published December 29, 2005