CHASSELL TOWNSHIP — A Houghton County Road Commission employee was struck by a passing vehicle Saturday morning as he was attempting to repair his truck, according to a release from the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office. The accident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. on the North Entry Road, near Channel View Lane in Chassell Township.

A road commission snow plow had broken down and was parked on the side of the road for maintenance, while another road commission truck was parked in front of it, the release stated. Brain Julio, 40, and another worker were standing near the mechanic’s truck when a 2007 Ford pickup truck driven by Walter Hitch, 89, of Portage Entry, struck Julio, and the road commission pickup truck. Hitch had approached a corner and lost control of his vehicle, striking Julio and the pickup.

Julio was treated at the scene for his injuries by the Chassell First Responders and Mercy Ambulance personnel, before being transported to U.P Health Systems – Portage for further treatment of his injuries, which were considered non-life threatening.

Both vehicles sustained considerable damage, but were driven away from the scene. The sheriff’s department was assisted at the scene by the Chassell First Responders and Mercy Ambulance.