5 people hospitalized after rollover crash on US-23 north of Washtenaw Avenue
A Toyota Sienna minivan rolled off US-23 near Washtenaw Avenue. Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
Five people were hospitalized after their vehicle went off US-23 north of Washtenaw Avenue and rolled over at least once, Ann Arbor Township fire officials said.
Their conditions were not available at 8:30 p.m. Northbound US-23 remained closed from Washtenaw Avenue to Geddes Road as Michigan State Police troopers investigate, dispatchers said.
The crash occurred just before 6 p.m. on northbound US-23 about a quarter mile north of Washtenaw Avenue.
Ann Arbor Township Fire Lt. Aaron Blackford said a Toyota Sienna minivan went off the roadway, rolled over at least once and came to a rest in trees and brush. He said it's not clear what caused the driver to lose control, and no other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Five people — adults and children believed to be from the Ann Arbor area — were in the minivan, Blackford said. He said he didn't know their ages or conditions.
Blackford said witnesses stopped to help after the crash, and it wasn't immediately clear whether any of the occupants were ejected in the crash. He described the scene as chaotic.
The occupants were taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
Michigan State Police officials said troopers are still on the scene, and no further information was immediately available.
Washtenaw County sheriff's dispatchers said it's unclear when the expressway will reopen.
Comments
talker
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 1:02 a.m.
More than once I've been in the acceleration lane to get onto northbound U.S. 23 from eastbound Washtenaw and had to abort entering the highway, exiting onto westbound Washtenaw. These episodes weren't during rush hour. It's happened in the evening and it's happened on Saturdays. Yes, vehicles heading north on U.S. 23 should move over to the left lane before passing the exit 37 area, but some cars and recently a semi neglected to move over. I've been driving for decades and avoid that interchange at busy times, preferring to drive north on Huron Parkway instead of driving two exits on U.S. 23. If I'm coming from I-94, driving on U.S. 23 isn't a problem, but that exit 37 northbound interchange poses problems. Apparently, details of how that accident occurred haven't been published. I'm guessing that injuries were so serious that positive outcomes aren't assured. It's possible that one or more victims' parents doesn't want information given to the press at this time. I wish everyone the best, though realize it may not be likely.
Cendra Lynn
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 10:43 p.m.
PR of AA: The A2News hasn't done local reporting, let alone investigative, for over a decade. A2com has even less $$, absentee owners, and no one promoting local reporting. A trip to journalism school is evidently not a requirement. I'd be more than happy to comment on the good stuff they bring us. Holler when you see some!
julieswhimsies
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 2:27 p.m.
I avoid 23 like the plague. I detest that highway! I certainly hope everyone injured heals well!
PR of AA
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 1:16 p.m.
Hey C6, how about you go to school for Journalism and you could get a job at AA.com and then you could ask the questions. Everyone is so quick to get on the staff about what they don't do and never post a good comment as to what they do bring us. Geeeez
C6
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 8:18 a.m.
Refreshingly unusual that we have a photograph along with one of these highway incident stories. Not at all unusual however, that there are no real reporter-gathered details. Too bad a reporter couldn't have been riding along with the photographer, or that he couldn't have done double duty and asked some questions of those at the scene to have filled in the many voids in the information. That only leaves opportunity for we readers making comments, to inject our own wild speculation on what happened.
leaguebus
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:27 p.m.
Nothing wrong with the entrance ramp, it's smooth and fast and 23 traffic can see entering cars from a decent distance. Hope all 5 are doing well.
Jim Clarkson
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:54 p.m.
I already know the conditions on US-23. All the people were driving like maniacs, changing lanes without signaling, not using any of the mirrors on or in their cars to look around them, no one letting incoming traffic merge and people that are merging not paying any attention to the flow of traffic.
Davidian
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:44 p.m.
The entrance ramps there are designed for 1960's traffic volume and speed. The lanes are narrow. It's not the best highway design for that side of town. At the same time, we all know the highway there isn't the greatest, so we need to always exercise caution. I hope everyone will be ok.
Tom Joad
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:16 p.m.
Keep your eyes on the road when you're captain of the mini-van vessel. Tell everyone to keep their traps shut so you can concentrate on the road. When I was in college I was camp counselor/slash designated, commercially-licensed camp driver. I can tell you that you have to be 100% on your game when you're toting around a group of kids in the stretch van. One moment's inattention and someone can be killed.