Advertisement

Forklift driver thought he hit starting block, not Drake Johnson

The forklift driver who accidentally hit Michigan running back Drake Johnson in April thought he hit a starting block in Michigan's indoor track facility instead of Johnson.

The police report regarding the April 13 incident was released Tuesday, and the driver was carrying a cabinet at approximately eye level. From the Detroit News:

According to the police report, the driver of the forklift / utility vehicle, Matt Johnson, said he was “moving a large cabinet and was traveling with the cabinet about eye level. He stopped at the large garage door and a co-worker opened the door for him.”

In the report, Matt Johnson said he drove into the building “and felt a bump, stating he thought he ran over a starting block, when he saw Drake Johnson, a student-athlete, roll from under the forklift. And M. Johnson realized he had ran over Drake Johnson who was sitting on the track floor stretching.”

[Check out Dr. Saturday on Tumblr for entertaining things you won’t see on the blog]

The News notes the case is considered closed. Johnson, who was a member of the track team this spring, was taken to the hospital where he was examined and held for observation. Coach Jim Harbaugh later remarked that Johnson would be out a few weeks and that it was a miracle he wasn't more seriously injured in the incident.

Johnson tore an ACL to begin the 2013 season and suffered an ACL tear at the end of the 2014 season. He appeared in 12 games in 2015 and got his first carry of the season against Oregon State. He had 71 rushing yards and a touchdown against Maryland, a game where he also caught a 31-yard touchdown pass.

[Visit Dr. Saturday on Facebook for stories you might have missed and chat with the writers]

For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.

- - - - - - -

Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!