Teen airlifted to hospital after car crashes into trees
Editor's note: This article has been updated with the car make and model.
A 17-year-old Pittsfield Township resident was airlifted to the University of Michigan hospital in critical condition after the car he was driving ran off the road into a ditch and hit several trees Tuesday night in Ypsilanti Township.
The teen was pinned in the car for about two hours while firefighters worked to free him, said Ypsilanti Township Fire Capt. Brad Johnson. The car was essentially wrapped around a tree, Johnson said.
The Pittsfield Township teen was driving a 2004 Ford Taurus west on Textile Road on his way home from work in Ypsilanti Township when the car left the road in the 5800 block of Textile Road, police said. It traveled about 20 feet into the ditch, hitting several trees along the way, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Sgt. Geoffrey Fox said. Firefighters said the crash was reported at 11:48 p.m.
The Survival Flight helicopter crew used the parking lot of the PineView Church parking lot as a staging area, said Huron Valley Ambulance spokeswoman Joyce Williams. HVA paramedics took the man from the crash site to the helicopter, she said.
Investigators have not yet determined why the teen’s car left the road, Fox said. Neither alcohol nor drugs is suspected in the crash, he said.
Comments
hailey
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.
Brandon - I am Steve's aunt. Please thank your mom for calling it in. My email iszabo1@yahoo.com if she wants to get in touch with the family.
Brandon
Fri, Oct 5, 2012 : 2:13 a.m.
Thank you my mom is gunna email you tonight
GoNavy
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
"A 17-year-old Pittsfield Township resident was airlifted to the University of Michigan hospital in critical condition after the car he was driving ran off the road into a ditch and hit several trees Tuesday night in Ypsilanti Township." Semantic argument here: If the teen was "driving the car," then the teen drove off the road into a ditch. If the teen was not actually driving the car (e.g. nobody was driving the car), then it was the car which decided to run off the road and into a ditch. Ultimately, a better line would be "Teen airlifted to hospital after driving his car off the road and into a ditch," which wold accurately capture what was trying to be conveyed here.
Matt Cooper
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 5:08 p.m.
I don't know about anybody else, but I would be extremely PO'd if it were my son and annarbor.com published his last name on their website, and I hope they don't publish this kids last name here. It's nobodys business what his last name is until and unless he or his family express a desire to make that information public. Brandon, have you considered that due to privacy considerations the young man's family might not want anyone to know his last name or condition? I know you are concerned for him and I can totally appreciate that, but you really have no right, in my opinion, to know his last name or his condition unless the family reaches out to you or your mom. I hate to sound crass, but just because you and/or your mother witnessed this and called 911 doesn't entitle you to anything. Again, I'm sorry if that sounds mean, because it's certainly not meant to.
Brandon
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 2:57 a.m.
Hey Cindy wat was the young mans name ? My mother is the one who called the EMS when it happened we live literally two driveways from the accident . Wats his condition ??? We've been praying for him we just wanna kno wats going on cause the paramedics and firefighters took a while to get him out
Cindy Heflin
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 9:36 p.m.
GoNavy: I don't actually know if he drove it off the road. We don't know if he may have been incapacitated in some way. There's nothing that indicates that. But at this point we don't know how the crash happened.
Tag
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
Sure hope he's OK. Facts from the article: 17 years old. 11:45pm. Tuesday. If he's still in high school one has to wonder what he's doing out at that hour. If he was returning home from work, and is still a high school student, that's violation of Michigan Law. High school students are limited on the hours and time of day they can work. I'd like more information, before I throw the parents under the bus.
hailey
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 5:41 p.m.
Bradon - I am Steve's aunt. Please thank your mom for calling it in. My email is iszabo1@yahoo.com if she would like to contact the family.
Tag
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.
Middle America.... Gosh don't think I was passing judgement. I was waiting for more information to pass judgement. You're totally right though, it isn't any of my business. My main point was about finding out if an employer was violating the law and taking advantage of this young man. Which in turn could be a liability issue for the employer. This a terrible accident, with apparent head trauma I hope he makes a complete recovery. I'm human, we all pass judgement whether right or wrong.
Brandon
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 8:58 a.m.
Gus if you don't mind me asking wat is his last name
Middle America
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 7:19 a.m.
Well, "Tag", don't worry because it is none of your business what he was doing. Who are you to pass judgement on the victim of a car accident, his parents, or anyone else?
Gus
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 4:37 a.m.
Brandon, his name is Steve, and yes, it took 2 hours to get him out of the car. The doctors say he is stable after a 5 hour brain surgery, we will only know how he really is once he wakes up, which, we don't know when it will be. God bless your mom, she might have just saved his life. Your prayers are much appreciated.
Brandon
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 3 a.m.
Gus what was the young mans name my mother was the one who called the ems when it happened and were trying to figure out if he's okay cause the ems took forever to get him free we've been praying just wanna check up on him
Tag
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.
DNB: I wasn't referring to the graduated driver rules and laws. I was referring to hours and time of day which teenagers are allowed to work. Reread my comment you'll see it doesn't mention anything about driving. See: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Teenagers_Guide_89278_7.pdf Although, it appears that this is all moot, because Gus writes that he's a college student, much like I was at 17. Gus, I do hope he makes a full and complete recovery.
Gus
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
Yes, he is only 17, but he is in college and has a job, which shows he is a smart and responsible teen, so apparently he was raised better than most teens these days, not your place to throw anyone under the bus, especially someone you don't even know. How about you pray for him right now, cause he is not doing well at all.
DNB
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
I hope this teenager makes a full recovery. Tag, the article states he was headed home after working. You are also incorrect that he violated any Michigan Law. I've got teens that drive, and most parents know the guidelines. Here's a link for you to check out the current graduated license system in Michigan. It's on the michigan.gov website. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Michigans_Graduated_Licensing_System_153498_7.pdf
djacks24
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 6:12 p.m.
That looks like the spot on Textile where there is a large drop in the road. That's an area where you need to be careful because one slight yank on the wheel there is a sharp drop off of either side of the road. Also, with the gravitational force decending into the drop you could be going 10-15mph faster than you were going at the top. Definitely not an area to be fiddling with electronics, talking/texting, or messing with the radio.
Ann English
Sat, Oct 6, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.
Thanks, djacks24; it sounds exactly like you read something I think was deleted. I and others will have to be careful regarding steering on our own road, right now; the way you describe Textile matches my own road's NEW condition. It might help if a BRAKING REQUIRED sign were posted for both eastbound and westbound motorists on that particular part of Textile. At least I think that is what one sign I remember seeing on eastbound Geddes, west of Shipman, says. What you call "a drop" follows that sign.
OLDTIMER3
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 12:12 p.m.
This is right near the Ellis road Shady Lane intersection near the top of the hill.
Tesla
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.
More helicopter rides. This seems to me to becoming a trend. Two of the best hospitals in the state are less than ten miles from the scene of the crash. You mean to tell me huron valley isn't capable of transporting an injured man ten miles? How did they do it ten years ago? How did we ever survive without these helicopters.
Ann English
Sat, Oct 6, 2012 : 12:52 a.m.
Twenty-one years ago, one of my nephews got a UM Survival Flight helicopter ride, after the vehicle he was riding in rolled over him, ending up on its wheels. If he had been taken to the hospital via ambulance, he would have died.
Dorina
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
One key piece of information, Tesla: this young man had already been in agony for *two hours* by the time the EMTs got to him. Maybe he was still conscious and in excruciating pain. Maybe he was terrified. Maybe his mom and dad were dying a thousands deaths waiting. In the mean time, the helicopter is available and its purpose is to quickly transport critically injured people to the hospital. Hmmm... the logical conclusion is... to be reached by rational beings, who are also compassionate and empathetic. May you never be in a medical emergency.
Matt Cooper
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
PS: Just as an addendum, the bird the UM uses has a maximum airspeed of 210 miles per hour, or 174 knots. Now that's friggin' fast! Some more facts for your enjoyment: http://www.survivalflight.com/
Matt Cooper
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.
First off Tesla, try googling the terms "the golden hour" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hour_(medicine)). Secondly, in the case of traumatic brain or spinal injuries the patient might not do well with the bumpiness of an ambulance ride that could well exacerbate the injuries already sustained. And this is not to mention that from that location, an ambulance ride could take upwards of 20-25 minutes to get to St. Joes and possibly over a half hour to the U of M. Contrary to what some may think, ambulances don't just turn on the lights and sirens and amble along at 80 mph with a trauama patient in the back. The flight probably took less than 5 minutes and after having been trapped inside the crumpled vehicle for two hours, every second is critical. Thirdly, the U of M Survival Flight program has been around since 1983. I don't know about other flight programs in the area, and I might well be wrong, but I do believe UM's was the first flight program in this part of southeastern Michigan. Finally, having worked in an ICU at UM for many years, I know personally several of their flight nurses, and let me tell you, they are among the best in the business and I would trust them with my own care were I ever the victim of a traumatic injury. Instead of complaining about whether a flight should have been used or not, because you most likely aren't such an expert on medicine that you can sit there behind your monitor and honestly think you can assess the patients injuries in any kind of sensible way, why not just be thankful that we in the greater Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area are so blessed to have such a fine service with some of the best medical personell available to provide some of the best emergency care on the planet. There are many places in our country and in our state that are not so blessed. I pray this young man makes a complete recovery, and I thank the UM flight nurses, docs, pilots and all other flight personell for a job well done!!
Gus
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 9:13 p.m.
Really? You worry about the number of helicopter rides to the hospital? Put yourself in the family's position, what if it was your only son, big brother, cousin or grandson? How about a prayer for us, family, that is waiting for the doctor to come out of the surgery room?
djacks24
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
"More helicopter rides." "How did we ever survive without these helicopters?" I assume some didn't in many cases...
Nunya
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 8:21 p.m.
Tesla. Google on the Internet machine washtenaw medical protocols. Learn what pre-hospital medical people do and why.
Nunya
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
Air Ambulance Field Operations Here is an excerpt from the washtenaw county website. Knowledge is powerful tool A. Major trauma patients need to be delivered to a comprehensive trauma hospital as soon as possible. These guidelines are designed to minimize the elapsed time until the patient arrives at a comprehensive trauma hospital. Stable patients who are accessible to ground vehicles are ordinarily best transported by ground. The following guidelines indicate which patients are likely to benefit from helicopter air ambulance transport. B. Ahelicopterairambulanceshouldbeusedforpatientswhomeetthetraumainclusion criteria (as listed in Adult Trauma Triage and Pediatric Trauma Triage) and one of the following. 1. Patient evaluation/preparation and transport time to a comprehensive trauma hospital is more than 25 minutes or transport time alone is greater than 15 minutes. 2. Patient transport will be delayed over 15 minutes and ground transport time is greater than 10 minutes. 3. Special circumstance which require the services of the helicopter or its crew, such as chest tube insertion, transfusion, or spinal cord injury. Additionally certain medical patients that are difficult to access (scene remote from ground transport capability) or have medical conditions that would benefit from the specialized care provided by air medical services or are time dependent with a patient is in a remote area, should be considered for air medical transport. An MCA approved responder may activate a helicopter air ambulance while en route to a scene if they feel the above criteria exist. If the ALS unit arrives on the scene and the helicopter is not needed, or if the patient will arrive in the Emergency Department faster by ground than by air, the helicopter should be cancelled. C. Ground transport may be used whenever deemed appropriate by ALS personnel. External circumstances including weather and helicopter availability may preclude use of helicopter air ambulance.
Dorina
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 7:34 p.m.
HVA is capable or transporting 10 miles, but if injuries are severe, minutes count. This young man is in a coma. He's also a friend of my sons'. We pray he makes it and am glad that people who have a heart are trying their best to save his life. Oh, and BTW, life is expensive and precious. :-o
Honest Abe
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 6:38 p.m.
Certain spinal and back injuries could warrant a helicopter, regardless of the distance. The ride in an ambulance, unless it literally travel at 5MPH without hitting bumps could potentially make things worse, not to mention time is the essence. How did they do it 10 years ago, you asked? Well, so you know, they still had air ambulances! By the way, your comment is beyond thoughtless and had no compassion. Maybe had that been your loved one crumpled up in a car wreck, you'd revise your thoughts and comments.
Bcar
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 6:16 p.m.
hopefully you're never in critical condition and need a FAST ride...
Unusual Suspect
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 5:58 p.m.
You mean to tell me a passerby isn't capable of transporting an injured man ten miles? How did we ever survive without ambulances?
a2roots
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.
Ten years ago we had helicopters. Many did not and would not survive without the helicopters.
WalkingJoe
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.
Hoping this young man makes a full recovery.
AlwaysLate
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.
"...5800 block of Textile Road." Isn't that the same location where that family crashed two days ago??
Ann English
Sat, Oct 6, 2012 : 12:48 a.m.
No, but Merritt Road and Textile Road are parallel.
ferdcom
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 : 5:40 p.m.
There was one on Merritt Rd near Munger