Cross border crash into playground and building

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Alcohol is believed to be involved with a suspect driver who was injured during a late night chase from Hurley, Wisconsin into Ironwood, Michigan, where the vehicle crashed through a daycare playground fence and into a building on Sept. 15, according to a press release from the Ironwood Public Safety Department.

At approximately 2:30 a.m., a Hurley patrol officer observed a truck driving at a high rate of speed without its lights on in the city. The officers attempted a traffic stop of the truck to help prevent others from being struck by the reckless driver.

After activating the police emergency lights, the driver of the truck did not stop and increased speed before crossing the shared border with Ironwood, Michigan. The Ironwood Public Safety Department and surrounding agencies were notified of the pursuit in progress of the truck that now disappeared at a high rate of speed on McLeod Avenue near downtown Ironwood.

While the officers continued to locate the vehicle and driver they found the truck had crashed through the chain-link fence around the Our Lady of Peace Daycare Center at the intersection of McLeod Avenue and South Marquette Street, destroying playground equipment, and striking a building just east of the playground, causing substantial damage. Additional assistance was requested as there were concerns of a roof collapse and the driver’s safety, according to the press release.

Beacon Ambulance Services and additional officers arrived on scene. The driver of the truck was stabilized, removed from the truck, and transported to Aspirus Ironwood Hospital for treatment. The driver was later transferred to another hospital.

The incident is under investigation, and the driver’s name will not be released at this time. Alcohol was believed to be a factor in the accident, and criminal charges are pending.

Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Iron County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hurley Fire Department all also responded to the scene.