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Todd Hildreth, 43, of Elba Township, is in critical condition with life threatening injuries at Hurley Medical Center in Flint. Alcohol is suspected to have played a factor in the accident, said Lapeer County Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Parks.

Problems began after Hildreth and his son, 4, were returning on foot from a restaurant on Lake Nepessing about 6:25 p.m.

"He saw a neighbor, 14 or 15, that was attempting to blow up a tire on his bike," Parks said. "He offered to help him out and fix the tire. Then he drove the 20-inch bike around."

Hildreth peddled the bike to property in back of Castaways Restaurant on Hunt Road. After indicating that he intended to jump five tires, Hildreth traveled 42 feet on a downgrade before launching off a ramp, a tornado shelter built into the hill, backed by numerous vehicle tires.

"The bike caught one of the tires while he was airborne," Parks said. "He was launched over the handle bars and landed on his face on a packed gravel drive."

Hildreth was not breathing when Parks, Michigan State Police trooper Karen Ryan and Lapeer County EMS arrived. Hildreth was transported to Hurley Medical Center with life threatening injuries including a suspected broken neck. He was not wearing a protective helmet at the time of the accident.

"Trooper Ryan performed CPR and I drove the ambulance," Parks said. "They continued working on him all the way to the hospital."

The father of three is employed as a mechanic at Muffler Man in Davison.

"His young son 4, witnessed the accident and his daughter, 20, was sleeping inside their home when it occurred," said Parks. "Another son, 18, was at a friend's home."

Blood alcohol levels weren't available at press time. The crash remains under investigation by the Lapeer County Sheriff's Department.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com.