2 killed when SUV hits pole, tree, bursts into flames in Clinton Township

Deadly Clinton Township crash victims not yet identified

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Clinton Township police said two people were killed early Tuesday morning when the SUV they were in slammed into a utility pole and burst into flames.

Police said the blue 2004 Ford Explorer was going north on Kelly Road near South Nunneley Road when it left the roadway just after midnight, hit the pole and struck a tree. The driver may have been speeding.

The homeowner of the property that the SUV crashed on told Local 4 witnesses tried to save the two people, but couldn't get them out because of the flames.

Chris Doda rushed from his home to the scene.

"I came over to the vehicle to check to see if someone was in there and I heard a faint moan," Doda said.

Another neighbor, David Kupinski, also rushed to the scene and tried to get the people out of the burning vehicle.

"You could only get so close because every so often fireworks would go off. They coming outside the vehicle instead of exploding inside the vehicle," Kupinski said.

David Kupinski also worked with neighbors to spray water on the burning car.

We called 911 and before they got here, the fire just jumped from the back to the front and just engulfed the whole vehicle," Kupinski said.

Firefighters were able to pull the victims out, but they were pronounced dead. They haven't yet been identified.

It is believed the victims were a man and his girlfriend.

Police are investigating to learn if drugs of alcohol were involved.