Truck Takes Wheelchair For Wild Ride

(AP)  A 21-year-old man got the ride of a lifetime when his electric wheelchair became lodged in the grille of a semitrailer and was pushed down a highway for several miles at about 50 mph.

Ben Carpenter was unharmed but was taken to a hospital as a precaution. He had been secured to his wheelchair by a seat belt. Carpenter, who has muscular dystrophy, told a television station that he thought he might not make it through the ride.

"I was probably thinking that this is going to keep going and not stop anywhere, 50 or 60 miles somewhere," he told WOOD-TV of Grand Rapids.

Ben Carpenter's father, Donald, told The Associated Press that his son had started to cross at an intersection Wednesday afternoon in Paw Paw, about 140 miles west of Detroit. The light changed to green while his son was in front of a semi, which started moving.

The wheelchair's handles became lodged in the grille, the father said, and the wild ride started.

Motorists called police on their cell phones, and a pair of undercover police officers who happened to be nearby saw what was happening. They pulled the truck over and told the disbelieving driver, Donald Carpenter said.

The chair was undamaged except for losing most of the rubber on its wheels, he said.

"It's a very bad story that ended very well," he said. "We're just thrilled that he's still around."

[michellem99-2009]

I know stuff like that happens. I am a legally blind person and I use a white cane. I had the walk light. The truck was at a stop. So I started to cross. I am totally blind in one eye. I am mindful of my safety. As I started to cross,I was hit,I was so scared. Yes I was hurt. I yelling, crying..The Driver was upset as well. He said* of my God I hit a blind girl.*He learnt I an 52. So shut yer pie hole as the pain aint preety. I hpoe the company steps upto the plate pays his med bills,replaces his chair...I was hit cos the man could not see me as I am short and the truck was big. The bumper came to thine. I am 5 4. I am so sorry he was hit.

[peaceforusa]

I live in Michigan and this really did happen. For you skeptics, the driver did not see the disabled man in his chair crossing the street when he pulled out at the light. He bumped the chair which turned it forward and therefore the handles were stuck in the grill. I am so glad this did not turn into the tragedy it could have. People may be making jokes in a situation like this and it is all in good humor. Had the end result not happened the way it did, I don't believe anyone would be joking about it. Loosen up people. One guy on the freep.com site said "the heII with Cedar Point, get me a wheelchair". It was nothing against this disabled man or what he went through, just innocent humor. Although the people who called this disabled man names and commented about his ordeal in a negative way by blaming him and or his disability, you are just a bunch of inconsiderate morons.
It was a freak thing that happened, probably one of the freakiest I have ever heard but no one was at fault.

[sclaires]

I cannot understand what I consider nasty comments about this disabled man who got stuck in the grill of an 18-wheeler. Until you are disabled yourself can you even begin to understand what it is like. I have several disabilies and as a result just take it one day at a time. I don't know if I will be able to read normal size print or not when I get up in the mornings. I also don't know if I will have to dig out the crutches or use a cane to help me walk each morning. The one thing I am glad of is that I am not confined to a wheelchair at this time. I know people who are and it is not very comfortable for them all day. Until you have walked in their shoes can you then make comments such as some I have seen here tonight.

[imperfexshun]

JackSteen, you are so full of it. First, the handles got lodged into the grill which kept it from going under the truck. Second, the guy has muscular dystrophy which doesn't mean anything is wrong with his brain, etc. and he certainly isn't deserving of your name-calling (even if his disability did involve his brain). Maybe someday you will end up in a wheelchair and let's see how you like being described/called like you're referring to him. What goes around comes around.

I say thank God the guy was all right and the only damage was to the wheels.

[mountainzen]

Who needs a new hood ornament?

Not only did he get a ride, but his wheel chair battery was fully charged by the end of the ordeal!

Note to self--if ever in a wheel chair, get one of those dorky red flags they used to put on bicycles...

[mnelsonix]

My Bull Shjt meter is pegged

According to CNN.com:
An investigation revealed the man in the wheelchair had pulled in front of the truck at a gas station, and it somehow became lodged by its handles to the front grille.

Not at an intersection

[mo005]

Wow, now thats a ride he will never forget. Good thing the locusts wern't around at that time and place.

You know he was feeling the love

[rushman71]

You want to talk about a "joy ride"!!! He was probably screaming,"I'M GOING TO DIE!!! I'M GOING TO DIE!!!"