5-year-old boy killed, 3 adults injured in two-car crash in Bridgewater Township
A 5-year-old boy was killed and three adults were injured in a two-car collision that occurred after the boy's father lost control of his car on an icy patch of roadway on Michigan Avenue in Bridgewater Township, according to the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department.
The crash occurred on Michigan Avenue west of Lima Center Road at 2:20 p.m. Sunday, sheriff's officials said this morning.
The boy and his parents, all from Topeka, Indiana, were traveling from their home to the Detroit area to visit relatives, Lt. Troy Bevier said this morning.
The 38-year-old father was driving a Pontiac east on Michigan Avenue when he lost control of the car on a patch of ice and snow, reports said. The Pontiac crossed the center line and struck a westbound Ford pickup truck, reports said.
The 5-year-old boy in the back seat of the Pontiac was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The boy's father was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital by helicopter and remained in critical condition this morning, police said.
The boy's 28-year-old mother, who was the front-seat passenger, was taken to the U-M Hospital by ambulance in serious but stable condition, reports said.
The driver of the pickup, a 52-year-old Pittsfield Township man, was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital with non life-threatening injuries, reports said. He was the only occupant in the pickup, Bevier said.
Police have not yet released the name of the boy who was killed or the others injured in the crash.
Police said speed and road conditions were factors in the crash.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Deputy Doug McMullen at (734) 973â€4482.
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Comments
Katie
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
The driver in this case didn't live in Michigan. He works with my husband and is a very hardworking kind man. Everybody has their own comfort zone it seems as to what an appropriate speed is for driving in less than ideal weather. There have been plenty of times I would personally have liked to go 10 mph through some rough patches, but I also worry about the people behind me who don't feel the need to slow their pace and can't see me any better than I can see them....too slow is dangerous, too fast is dangerous. So "speed and road conditions" could be anything in the wrong circumstances. I'm sure the parents will blame themselves, they don't need any of the rest of us jumping on the bandwagon for that. People should be more concerned with how they can help this and other families going through tragic situations and less concerned about who to blame. There is plenty of blame to go around, I am sure everybody feels their fair share in these situations...why make it worse? I think there are more productive uses of energy than finger pointing.
Nephilim
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:55 p.m.
So here is a fool proof suggestion to everyone that gave their "two cents" worth of advice on how this tragedy could have been avoided: MOVE OUT OF MICHIGAN!!!!! Go to the deep south where this type of weather rarely occurrs. Michigan has snow in the winter. Michigan has ice in the winter. Michigan has snow and ice. It's really nothing new in these parts, even though some of you can't seem to cypher that. If the road commission could do what you all expect of them, they would need a fleet of ten thousand trucks and a budget the size of the whole state budget per county. I can't believe no one has suggested heated roads.. Let's heat all the roads that way none of you would have to ever worry about snow or icy roads in this state. We will worry about the electric bill later. Yea it's sad that the boy got killed no doubt about it. Problem is until you all take responsibility for your own poor driving habits and quit trying to lay blame on road design, poor maintenance etc etc then these types of tragedies will continue. Snow fences????? Really??? SLOW DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Karen St John
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:48 p.m.
So very sad.
loves_fall
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 6:13 p.m.
I was surprised how slick a few roads were today... I drove 23 S this morning and it definitely had a few icy patches.
Urban Sombrero
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 5:03 p.m.
@mstairs: Wow. Nice. You must be a ball of joy. I drive the speed limit. Because I tend to obey laws. Is that foreign to you?
Goodphotographer
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 4:14 p.m.
To the family, I'm sorry for your loss. I was on US 12 that day and was detoured roughly 20 min after the accident as a result of the fatality. I as well as my passenger were talking about how after passing through Saline the roads had three to four inch drifts that ran in patches of about fourty to as much as 100 feet. I myself nearly lost control at a slow speed. I am not pointing the finger of blame at anyone but the road crews could have been more on top of things as this is an on going problem. 'Slow drifting snow ahead' signs would be a help. I was upset that not very many if any salt trucks with plows had not come through on the return trip from Morenci MI. It's sad that road conditions get deadly before something is done. These areas need drift fences and sinage. When most of the road is clear to the pavement with no ice it hard to tell that pure ice is ahead and little time to brake comming out a curve on on a downhil slope as this driver exprienced. My heart goes out to the family. Such a tragic loss. I think road maintenance played a part in this accident.
mstairs
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 1:37 p.m.
@urban sombrero "This road scares the bejeezus out of me in the summer, let alone when it's icy. It's too hilly, curvy and narrow. Plus, people drive like maniacs and pass on the double yellow. I swear, every time I'm on this road, I'm white knuckled and practically praying. (And I'm atheist!) It's a scary, scary road." Grow up. It's just a road. People pass you on double yellow because you drive too slow. Maybe if you believed in God you wouldn't drive so slow and annoy those of us that like to travel at a reasonable speed.
Urban Sombrero
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 12:08 p.m.
My condolences to the family. This is an awful tragedy. That poor little boy. I'm sure his father will blame himself until the end of time for this. So incredibly sad. This road scares the bejeezus out of me in the summer, let alone when it's icy. It's too hilly, curvy and narrow. Plus, people drive like maniacs and pass on the double yellow. I swear, every time I'm on this road, I'm white knuckled and practically praying. (And I'm atheist!) It's a scary, scary road.
Outlaw
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 10:32 a.m.
I have traveled this section twice a day 5 days a week for the last 25 years. The MDOT does nothing to maintain the ice and snow from M-52 east to US 23 until all foul weather has subsided. Funny how the Jackson County branch can jump right on US 12 from M-50 to M-52 but the Washtenaw County branch does absolutely nothing. Here is a perfect case to sue. I leave at 5am and if it's snowing I have to count on the road being bad from M52 to US23. They waited until after the accident to put sand on the road. A little late by then boys.
stunhsif
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.
Andy Jacobs said: "Just like AWD & ABS, snow tires don't help too much on solid ice. "Police said speed and road conditions were factors in the crash." = Driving too fast for conditions. Go ahead, ask any officer." While I don't disagree with you Andy I can tell you that snow tires do offer incredible protection in snow and some protection on ice. Todays snow tires are nothing like they were even 10 years ago. The process called ( sipe-ing, probably spelled that wrong) creates incredible traction. All I am trying to point out is that these should be mandatory by law in this state. Too many cars on the roads in Michigan should not be on the road because they are unsafe and not well maintained. Not saying this was the case here but even the incremental help snow tires give could possibly have helped keep this accident from ever happening. Hopefully someday soon, snow tires will be required by law!
Gate0525
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:34 a.m.
WOW! A horrible tragedy & people still look for ways to punish them. Not sure if any of you have traveled this stretch of road but don't assume the driver of either vehicle is at fault. US 12 was horrible on Sunday & still on Monday. Yes, people need to slow down(even during good conditions) but don't put blame on someone that you have no idea about. The driver could have been going 10mph and it still would have been way too fast. So sorry to hear that they have lost their little boy & the parents are hurt as well. I wish them strength & prayers.
Soothslayer
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:29 a.m.
Just like AWD & ABS, snow tires don't help too much on solid ice. "Police said speed and road conditions were factors in the crash." = Driving too fast for conditions. Go ahead, ask any officer. If its a blizzard and you can't see going over 10mph on the freeway is too fast for conditions regardless what the posted "speed limit" is.
stunhsif
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.
Does not say he was speeding. The high winds have caused patches of snow on the roadways which get turned into ice when driven over repeatedly. Wonder what kind of condition the drivers tires were in, snow tires should be mandatory from Dec 1st through March 31st in Michigan, just my opinion. And before someone says snow tires offer no protection on ice, they need to check out the facts. Feel so sad for this family, very trajic.
Snehal
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 9:07 a.m.
Stephanie, The article clearly mentions "Police said speed and road conditions were factors in the crash.".
Steffi
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 8:48 a.m.
Excuse me sir, but nothing in the article says that the father was speeding, plenty of accidents occur with lets say black ice regardless of speed. It is a horrible thing to have happened.
Soothslayer
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 8:40 a.m.
Terrible. Driving way too fast for conditions. Was the 5 year old in a child seat or otherwise buckled up?