A 43-year-old Gaylord man who crashed his vehicle into the Travelodge Motel in Traverse City is believed to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a preliminary medical exam.

Jeffrey James Bourdlaies was the lone occupant of a 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup truck that was spotted traveling through a small wooded tree line and wooded fence Monday morning in the 700 block of Munson Avenue. The vehicle came to a stop near the east side of the Travelodge Motel. Shortly after stopping, the vehicle's engine compartment caught fire and eventually consumed the passenger compartment.

Due to the danger caused by the fire, officers could not render aid to any occupants inside the vehicle. The Travelodge Motel evacuated guests and staff as portions of the building caught fire. There were no reported injuries of motel staff or guests. Once fire personnel extinguished the flames, investigators determined that the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle - Bourdlaies - had died.
 
Medical examiners from Western Michigan University have released their preliminary findings and stated the possible cause of death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation remains ongoing as of Friday. The Traverse City Police Department and Traverse City Fire Department were assisted during the incident by the Michigan State Police, Grand Traverse Metro Fire, and Peninsula Fire departments.