Quick thinking, safety belts credited with saving teens from serious injury

At approximately 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, Michigan State Police, Presque Isle County Sheriff?s Department, Rogers City Allied EMS and Posen Area Fire and First Responders responded to a single vehicle crash on Polaski Road, just north of East 634 Highway in Posen Township. Two 16-year-old females were traveling southbound on Polaski Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle spun 180 degrees and ran off the west shoulder of the road, striking several trees before overturning and catching on fire. Both girls are from Posen.

Sixteen-year-old Tina Mulka is credited with probably saving the life of her friend and driver of the vehicle. Mulka observed the driver to be unresponsive, seemingly dazed or unconscious. Mulka was able to get out of her own seat belt, while hanging upside down, then free the driver from her seat belt. Trees prevented exit from the driver?s side window, so Mulka was able to pull the driver by her feet from the smoking vehicle, out the passenger door window.

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Soon after extricating her friend from the smoking vehicle, and seeking assistance from a nearby neighbor, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. Posen Fire Department was able to extinguish the burning vehicle and surrounding woods, but not before the vehicle was rendered a total loss.

Both girls were treated at Alpena Regional Medical Center and released. Neither alcohol nor drugs are deemed to have been a factor in the crash. Seat belt usage is credited with minimizing injuries. The crash is still under investigation as to the cause for the loss of control.

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