TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A “big bump” that interrupted a Traverse City teen’s departure from a secluded, early morning bonfire turned out to be another youth prone in the weeds — and under the driver’s car.

Grand Traverse County, Michigan sheriff’s Lt. Brian Giddis said the victim — a Traverse City boy, 16 — is expected to be fine, despite a car twice running over him early Wednesday. He said another Traverse City boy, 17, accidentally ran over the other teen while trying to back up his car from a bonfire.

“He then pulls forward thinking he’s driving off the person, but then runs over him again,” he said.

The rural areas near Sand Lakes Road are popular haunts for local youths, who often hold alcohol-fueled bonfire parties.

Giddis said witnesses told deputies the victim had been seen wandering around the gathering before he lay down in some weeds.

The driver decided to leave the party in his car at about that time.

“After backing up for a few seconds he notices a big bump,” Giddis said.

The teen stopped his car long enough for his girlfriend to look outside. Giddis said she started screaming when she saw legs sticking out from under the vehicle. He said the driver, mistaken about the teen’s location under his car, then ran over him a second time.

Some partygoers began to scatter at that point, but others stayed and weren’t happy with the driver.

“He said he didn’t stay there because there were people there who wanted to fight him because he ran over their friend,” Giddis said.

Another group of teens drove the injured boy to near Woodland School on Supply Road and called 911 at about 1 a.m. That’s about when a sheriff’s deputy stopped the driver, who said he planned to drive to a police station to let authorities know about the incident.

Giddis said deputies gave the driver a breath test and found he hadn’t consumed alcohol that night. He said they’re requesting a charge against the driver for leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.

Munson Medical Center doctors treated the other youth for injuries to his face and upper torso. Giddis said doctors told deputies that the youth will be “OK,” but they planned to give him a CAT scan to be sure.

Troutman writes for the Traverse City Record-Eagle.