CASSOPOLIS — Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood reports that on Monday, Dec. 13, at 10:04 a.m., deputies were dispatched to a personal-injury traffic crash on M-51 near Thomson Road in Pokagon Township.

Upon arriving on scene, deputies found a 2001 Chevy S-10 up against a utility pole.

The pole was snapped and the vehicle was covered by the electrical lines and transformer.

The lines were still “hot” and the driver and his passenger were injured and trapped in the vehicle.

AEP was called to the scene to turn off the power and the driver and his passenger were extricated from the vehicle by Pokagon Township Fire Department.

The driver was identified as Gerald Coplen, 65, of Dowagiac.

His passenger was identified as Chris Coplen, 42, of Dowagiac.

Coplen advised he was passing another vehicle and lost control, running off the road and into the pole.

Gerald Coplen was transported to Lakeland Hospital for his injuries.

Chris Coplen refused treatment.

Cass County deputies were assisted at the scene by the Pokagon Township Fire Department and SMACAS.

Alcohol was not a factor and seatbelts were worn by both occupants.