Two Middle Eastern Men allegedly set on Fire, Burned in Hate Crime

Two men who claimed they were set on fire in their car early today in Jackson were in critical condition at the University of Michigan Burn Center. The victims told a Blackman Township officer that suspects in a red Ford pickup threw gasoline on them and ignited it, and made racial slurs regarding their Middle Eastern descent. The victims, whose names were not released, flagged down an officer at 1:33 a.m. on W. Michigan Avenue. Thomas Finco, public safety director for the township, said the victims said they had met two women in a local club and left with them.  "There may be a little inconsistency as to what was reported to us," Finco said. "They said they drove around 20 to 45 minutes looking for a hospital. I would have stopped at the first gas station and called 911." Except for the initial contact, officers have been unable to interview the victims. Each was sedated and fitted with oxygen tubes. They were flown to Ann Arbor by helicopter. [more ]