STAFF REPORT :::
The Pike County Sheriff’s Office says a man who reported he was attacked and set afire is responsible for his injuries.
According to a press release issued by Sheriff Jimmy Thomas, investigators on Saturday night received a report from WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital of a man, 26-year-old Michael May, who had been brought to the emergency room for the treatment of extensive burns.
Hospital staff alerted the PCSO that May had made statements alleging another person had deliberately inflicted his injuries by dousing him with gasoline and setting him ablaze.
May sustained second- and third-degree burns over approximately 50 percent of his body.
Officials say investigators spoke with a witness to the incident who stated May accidentally set himself on fire when he poured gasoline into a wood furnace and lit it.
This witness also alleged May was intoxicated when he arrived at the residence where the incident occurred.
Investigators believe May first drove to a second location and obtained a ride to WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital.
He was subsequently transported to the burn unit of a WellStar hospital located in Cobb County.
Authorities say the investigation has thus indicated May’s burn injuries resulted from an accident, not malicious intent.
The Pike County Sheriff’s Office says the vehicle May was driving was reported stolen out of Spalding County, and that he has a warrant for his arrest for failure to appear in Upson County. The Upson County warrant pertains to a separate and unrelated case of theft by taking motor vehicle.
The GRIP 
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