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Posted on Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 1:44 p.m.

Pedestrian dies after being hit by semi truck on I-94 in Ann Arbor

By Kyle Feldscher

This story has been updated

A man was killed Thursday afternoon after apparently walking out in front of a semi truck on eastbound I-94 between State Street and Stone School Road, authorities said.

94accident.jpg

Emergency crews responded to eastbound I-94 Thursday and closed down both lanes of the freeway after a pedestrian was hit by a semi truck.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

HVA spokeswoman Joyce Williams confirmed the man had died from the injuries sustained in the accident. Paramedics attempted to perform CPR on him at the scene, Williams said.

Both lanes of eastbound I-94 were closed for at least three hours Thursday, causing massive back ups.

Witnesess told police the man walked from the south side of the freeway into the path of an oncoming semi truck, according to Michigan State Police Sgt. Chris Pascoe. The man didn't have any identification on him and as of Thursday evening, police were still working to find out who he was, Pascoe said.

Williams said the man appeared to be in his 40s or 50s, but no other information about him was immediately available on Thursday.

Traffic on the freeway was moving normally as of 5 p.m. Thursday.


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Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Comments

Kyle Feldscher

Wed, May 9, 2012 : 12:11 p.m.

seldon- I've asked the Michigan State Police directly for the man's name. They've told me that it won't be released because they've ruled this a suicide and they do not give out public information on suicides. Obviously, when received much of this information, that fact was not immediately known.

seldon

Wed, May 9, 2012 : 7 p.m.

To put it another way, I'm pushing on this because annarbor.com has a tendency to print anonymized news, and then never go back to fill the blanks in, leaving us to go to other news sources to find out who was involved. There's a middle ground between tabloid-style gossip-mongering and anonymizing news items. I wish you guys would find it.

seldon

Wed, May 9, 2012 : 6:55 p.m.

I am in no way saying you should dig in to the details for readers' voyeuristic satsifaction. I'm just saying that NAMES are basic.

Kyle Feldscher

Wed, May 9, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.

seldon - Yes, there are ways to access this information if I felt that it was really necessary to complete the story. However, not only am I reporter but I'm a human being as well. As such, I try to treat stories not just as straight facts that are there for public consumption, but also as incidents that have real, meaningful and (far too often in the crime beat) tragic effects on other people. In this case, I've weighed the benefits of printing more information about this man's death and the negatives of how it would affect his family members and friends who I'm sure are absolutely crushed due to this incident. Publicizing this more, putting more salt into their wounds, so other people can know who he was, why he did what he did, what his reasons were, etc. simply isn't worth it to me. The harm that publishing this information would do is not worth the benefits. You may disagree with me, and that's fine. This is just so you understand my reasons for not pursuing this story more than the initial report.

seldon

Wed, May 9, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.

It isn't in the public death records? You're a REPORTER, Kyle. You aren't the public information office of the Michigan State Police. You're expected to go out and do research to get complete stories. I understand that you guys are understaffed, and that isn't your fault, but seriously, please do complete stories.

seldon

Tue, May 8, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.

I bet you can guess what I'm going to ask.

seldon

Sat, May 5, 2012 : 8:56 p.m.

So, more than a week later, and this man's identity is still a deep secret. I'm assuming annarbor.com must know it, since you wouldn't have allowed those posts from his daughter to stay unless you were able to validate who they were from. You've got the information. What is the reason that you aren't telling us?

seldon

Wed, May 2, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.

Why is this man's identity still a secret to annarbor.com's readers? It's almost a week after the accident. The accident was a fatality, which means you've got death records as well as police records to use. You've got one commenter claiming to be the man's daughter, which suggests that the family has been notified. The way you cover accidents is HORRIBLE. Most people reading an article about an accident want to know, first and foremost, whether the victim is anyone they know. annarbor.com seems to avoid ever telling us.

Alan Benard

Thu, May 3, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.

I never heard of such timidity in alleged journalists in my life. There is no reporting in this paper, just stenography from official sources. How about knocking on a door and interviewing the family? If you do whatever the police tell you to do, you are not a newspaper.

seldon

Mon, Apr 30, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.

Why have you still not identified the pedestrian? annarbor.com posts these stories, leaves everyone in them unidentified, and then never goes back and identifies them.

Kyle Feldscher

Mon, Apr 30, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.

I attempted to find out this information from the state police on Friday and was unsuccessful. I've returned from the weekend and am still working on it. Thanks for checking up on this story.

Bruce W

Sun, Apr 29, 2012 : 4:28 p.m.

Kyle Feldscher , In one of your posts you talked about the truck going 70 mph, is there any information from the police that the truck was speeding ? I am asking because the speed limit for a large truck like the one shown in the picture is not 70 mph, do you know what the speed limit is for that truck? I drive that stretch of I-94 5 days a week at about 3:15 and most trucks are only going about 50 to 55 mph in that area due to traffic entering the freeway by the mall. Was the driver ticketed for anything due to the tragic accident?

jns131

Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.

Talk about censorship. Look at all the deleted comments.

Tesla

Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 4:10 p.m.

Most of them are showing support and well wishes for the truck driver. Chrystal even posted a nice thoughtful post concerning the man and that was deleted as well. The moderation here is completely bizarre.

63Townie

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:20 p.m.

Chrystal, so sorry for you and your family's loss.

bamwow

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:48 p.m.

Chrystal-So sorry for your loss. What a tragedy.

healthyme

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 11:03 a.m.

Nicely put Chrystal. He was a loving and caring brother, uncle and great uncle. He will be missed. RIP

chrystal

Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 2:43 a.m.

Thank you.

chrystal

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 5:52 a.m.

That man was my father. He was expecting his 1st grandson in a week or two. He was going to go back to school. He was telling me this morning of plans he had for the weekend. Plans he had for his grandson to be. If i knew it was the last time i would see him i would have hugged him and never let him go.He was a great man who loved everyone even people who hurt him. This man didn't have one mean bone in his body. I just wish my son to be had the chance to meet his Grandpa. Anyone who knew him knows how great of a man he was.

E. Gavin

Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 1:53 p.m.

I am deeply sorry to learn of the loss of your father, Chrystal. My heart goes out to you and your family.

chrystal

Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 2:41 a.m.

Thank you everyone.

E Claire

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.

Very sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers. His grandson will know what a great man he was from the rest of you and will always have a guardian angel watching over him.

tigirr

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 1:55 p.m.

Chrystal, my heart goes out to you and your family. So sorry for your loss! I pray that god will give you the strength to get through these rough days ahead.

almightydanish

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.

My heart aches for you Chrystal. You're in my thoughts. I'm very sorry for you loss.

beantsee

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 10:49 a.m.

Chrystal, I am so very sorry for your loss. I hope that your good memories will help to carry you through this difficult time.

Vette96drvr

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 9:17 a.m.

wow, that hurt to read Chrystal (If i knew it was the last time i would see him i would have hugged him and never let him go). SO sorry for your loss and the pain you are feeling. Time heals pain and good memories can never be taken away. Cherish the memories! I'm very sorry.

Kristine

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 6:04 a.m.

Oh, Chrystal, I'm SO sorry for your loss!

Salinemary

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 1:12 a.m.

God bless this man, his family, the truck driver, others who witnessed this and the responders.

Michigan Man

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 1:51 p.m.

May God bless the memory of this man who was killed and may God bless the fine works of all who responded to this terrible event!

chrystal

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 5:55 a.m.

Thank you.

justcurious

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 11:28 p.m.

I am so sorry to hear that this man's life ended this way. My thoughts are with his loved ones and the semi driver who unavoidably hit him. That is a terrible thing to have to witness.

chrystal

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 5:56 a.m.

Thank you.

Alan Benard

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.

The basic location information in this article is 100 percent incorrect. The incident occurred at the pedestrian footbridge which crosses I-94 east of Stone School and and west of Platt Road. This is portrayed in photography accompanying the story. If you report these stories by calling the police liaison and taking their word for it, you are unworthy of the title of journalist.

Alan Benard

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.

The driving distance between where the accident was reported and where it actually occurred is over two miles, not 100 yards. As for AlecGuinness' hilarious comment, accident reconstruction is not necessary. Having enough money to put a cub reporter on a #5 bus and have them walk over to the neighborhood adjacent to the accident would be sufficient, combined with a word or two with police sources on the scene. If AnnArbor.com could put a photojournalist in the area, they could have someone figure out what actually happened and report the truth. But that's a lot like work. Why does anyone trust this news source? They are patently lazy and biased toward the official statement, and seldom check facts.

Alan Benard

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.

rdwngsf, it is indeed a tragedy for everyone involved. It's also a news story I expect to see properly covered by the primary news source in my town. I'm sad for any untimely loss of life, but that wasn't the point of my post.

ArthGuinness

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:40 p.m.

Alan - what's your proposal for getting AnnArbor.com the resources needed to have a full-time accident reconstructionist on staff?

rdwngsf

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.

Alan, I understand that you may have been upset because of where the accident may have actually happened, but wheather they were off by 100 feet either way is really not the story, A man died in this accident, and a love one was lost in this accident. Not once did you mention the victim in this accident or anyone involved. maybe your focus should have been on compassion for the people involved. the man that died the truck driver who accidently hit him and the families of both.

Alan Benard

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:31 p.m.

And my comment was, "The basic location information in this article is 100 percent incorrect." Which is 100 percent true. Malorie, earn to read more carefully.

Alan Benard

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:17 p.m.

And thus dies journalism, not under a tyrant's boot nor a censor's pen, but readers' ignorance. Good luck, AnnArbor.com, you can do whatever you want, the average reader doesn't give a damn.

M.

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 11:58 a.m.

Alan, why do you think the most important part of this article is the precise location? And how does the photographer know extra information? 100% incorrect would mean that the entire article is incorrect. Please "check your facts" before posting. I'm really sick of people with far too much time on their hands nit-picking the local news as if they are supposed to be some hard-hitting news team uncovering the great conspiracies of our time. Seriously, do something productive. If you can do that much better, then you apparently have the time to apply for a position and write your own articles.

Alan Benard

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:04 a.m.

Kyle, I'm sorry, but that doesn't wash. It would be perfectly acceptable to quote some of the people who live adjacent to this area who were eye-witnesses to the aftermath of the accident. This article is a perfect example of what is wrong with this news organ. 1) Over-reliance on police, fire, ambulance, university and other official sources with no fact checking. 2) Apparent lack of resources to do basic reporting. The photographer, if she is a journalist, could tell you exactly where the incident occurred and it would be perfectly acceptable for you to carry her corroborated information, even if it were at odds with the official statements. But you guys don't care.

Kyle Feldscher

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 1:09 a.m.

Alan- While the picture may depict that's where the truck ended up after the accident, we - as journalists who were not watching the freeway when the accident actually happened - have no way of telling exactly where on the freeway it occurred. It's obvious from the photo where the investigation was taking place, but do we know if the man was hit further west than that and it took a truck travelling 70 miles per hour some time to stop? No, we don't. Unfortunately, because I did not directly witness this event, the best I can do is relay what professionals who investigate this kind of thing tell me. I've reported that back to you.

Alan Benard

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.

Now, I see the story will continue to be updated. This happened more than four hours ago, a 20-minute drive from your offices. What the hell.

Lisa

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.

There was a school bus stopped right at the scene, i don't know if any children were on board. I would hate for them to see that. I did not see any vehicles broke down near the accident.

jns131

Sat, Apr 28, 2012 : 1:07 p.m.

My comment was deleted because I agreed with Lisa's comment. Although we need to look at what children do all the time. They see this all the time. No big deal here.

canadafua2

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:11 a.m.

they need real life stuff to someday they will see it anyways

zAmboni

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.

Any news on the nasty wreck that occurred at Dixboro and Geddes around 1pm? One vehicle was off of the road, upside down, at the NW corner of the intersection. There was another vehicle involved. Could not see much as I was being waved through the intersection and my view was blocked by numerous emergency vehicles. Saw an ambulance and a stretcher, but not sure if anyone was on the stretcher, or if the person had yet to be extracted from the overturned vehicle. Surprised there is nothing on the site here about that accident.

Bertha Venation

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:24 p.m.

@ Tony. It's not that unusual. I've witnessed accidents that were never reported.

Tony Dearing

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.

It's unusual for us to be unaware of an accident like that. We're checking on it now.

brb11

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.

This looks like the scene happened right underneath the footbridge from Mary Beth Doyle Park, which would put it somewhat down the road from where the map indicates. With the bridge being fenced, I seemed to remember it being difficult to get to the highway from the path. I wonder how something like this happens. Very sad to see this. My heart goes out to the driver and pedestrian, as well as their families.

Alan Benard

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.

I barely ever read it because it is pretty much worthless. But what I expect from journalists is who what where whey why and basic factual correctness. That is called journalism, and it is a profession. Taking down dictation from the police department is called propaganda, printing press releases to keep the ads from bumping together is called a Penny Saver, not a newspaper.

ArthGuinness

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.

OK, we get it. Everybody needs to know exactly where the guy got hit because we're doing forensic analysis or something. It's so important that we need to call for the reporter's head on a platter. This free news is so worthless, that's why I keep reading it.

Alan Benard

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.

The fact checking on AnnArbor.com is seriously worthless. This is clearly well east of Stone School Road, nowhere near State Road. Your photographer should have told you that, as they were standing exactly at that location, taking this photo. I don't understand how you people can call yourselves journalists.

lefty48197

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 7:17 p.m.

That's a sad story from the southside of AA. Did the victim's car run out of gas or something? I can't believe he was just trying to cross the highway because there's a crosswalk right there.

John of Saline

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 6:13 p.m.

Wonder what the pedestrian was doing. Disabled car?

Bertha Venation

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.

@jns131 -- That is what I was thinking.... so sad.

jns131

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.

This has the tell tale signs of another accident over off 696 and one other freeway. What a painful way to go. I am now thinking of the driver who hit the pedestrian. What a thing to live with.

tim

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 6:13 p.m.

How can an article posted at 1:44 know that crews would be performing CPR at 1:55?

Ed Kimball

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 12:29 p.m.

Kyle, why doesn't the system change the posting time to reflect the time of the update?

Kyle Feldscher

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 6:22 p.m.

tim- I should have noted that the story was updated. I spoke with Joyce Williams after the story had been published and received that information.

Brent Lofgren

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 6 p.m.

Unfortunately, I was an eyewitness of this event while driving westbound on I-94. I think this person had very severe injuries. The collision appeared to be unavoidable on the part of the driver.

djm12652

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 6:12 p.m.

All those involved with be in my prayers...Brent, I'm sorry you had to witness something like this.