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Vehicle catches fire after hitting overpass, driver hospitalized

Posted at 6:14 PM, Oct 11, 2015
and last updated 2015-10-11 18:14:06-04

PORTLAND, Mich. — A man was hospitalized Sunday afternoon after his vehicle hit a freeway overpass and burst into flames.

Richard Rankin, 77, of Grand Rapids was driving east on I-96 when his vehicle left the road crashing into the Cutler Road overpass, according to a news release from the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash happened shortly before 12:30 Sunday afternoon.

Rankin’s SUV traveled roughly 500 feet before hitting the overpass and catching fire. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.

It’s unclear why the driver veered off the road but investigators said alcohol and speed don’t appear to be factors in the crash.