IRONWOOD, MI— Our Lady of Peace Church property in Ironwood was heavily damaged by an alleged drunk driver early Sunday morning.
Around 2:30 a.m., the Hurley Police Department tried to stop a speeding truck with its lights off. When they activated their lights, the truck driver went even faster and drove into Michigan.
Hurley officers notified the Ironwood Public Safety Department and surrounding agencies of the suspect truck, but police quickly lost it on McLeod Avenue. Following a quick search, officers discovered the truck had crashed into a building near Our Lady of Peace. They had concerns the roof might collapse on the driver, so police requested assistance.
EMTs and additional officers stabilized and removed the driver from the truck. The driver was taken to Aspirus Ironwood Hospital for treatment and later transferred to a different hospital.
The Our Lady of Peace fence, playground equipment, and a building just east of the playground sustained substantial damage.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the accident, and criminal charges are expected at a later time.
The crash remains under investigation.
Assisting Ironwood Public Safety at the scene were Beacon Ambulance, the Gogebic County Sheriff's Department, Michigan State Police, Hurley City Police, Iron County Wisconsin Police, and the Hurley Fire Department.
