A Clear Creek man suffered major injuries Friday when the 1971 Chevrolet El Camino he was working on started, rolled over him, dragged him across a roadway and then trapped him under the front tire until neighbors rescued him by lifting the vehicle.
According to details released by the Susanville office of the California Highway Patrol a man identified as 64-year old Clear Creek resident Michael Nichols was working on the engine of the El Camino, which was parked on the southbound shoulder of Spring Creek Drive, south of Circle Drive in Clear Creek.
He was standing in front of the Chevrolet with the hood open when he pressed a remote ignition switch and the engine started. The El Camino was in drive gear
and began rolling forward when the engine started. Nichols was pushed backward and became pinned under the Chevrolet.
The Chevrolet continued forward, rolled across both lanes of Spring Creek Drive, exited the roadway, and collided with a cedar split-rail fence.
The vehicle became high-centered on the fence and stopped with Nichols trapped under the front end, under the front passenger tire.
He was able to yell for help and neighbors came and lifted the car.
Nichols was airlifted to Enloe Medical Center for his injuries.
