Three-car crash in Superior Township kills one driver, injures two others
Updated story: Police expect to seek charges against driver who caused fatal three-car crash in Superior Township
Police say a driver exiting M-14 to M-153 in Superior Township failed to stop at a red light this morning, causing a three-car crash that killed a 57-year-old South Lyon resident.
Washtenaw County Sheriff's spokesman Derrick Jackson said the crash occurred at about 6:30 a.m. at the light on M-153 (Ford Road) off M-14.
A Chevy HHR and Ford Focus were at the eastbound light when a 54-year-old Novi man driving a Chevy pickup truck exited the expressway, Jackson said. He failed to slow down for the red light and was driving an estimated 70 mph to 80 mph when his pickup slammed into the back of the Ford Focus, Jackson said.
The impact sent the man's pickup over the top of the Focus, and it landed partially on the HHR, Jackson said.
The driver of the Focus was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released.
The Novi man who caused the crash was hospitalized with a broken leg and internal injuries, Jackson said. A test to determine whether alcohol was involved is pending, Jackson said.
The driver of the HHR — a 56-year-old Whitmore Lake woman — was alert, but was taken to the hospital as a precaution, Jackson said.
Jackson said police expect to seek charges against the at-fault driver. It's not clear where he was coming from or going at the time of the crash, but it doesn't appear he applied his brakes prior to impact, Jackson said.
The intersection was closed following the crash and is expected to reopen by about 12:30 p.m., police said.
Comments
rcichon
Mon, Nov 8, 2010 : 5:08 p.m.
@ AnnArbor.com C/O Stefanie Murray Please keep your readers updated when the suspected Alcohol Related life taking car crash driver is arrained by W.C.S.O remember witness's says he reaped of alcohol,weaving on M-14, 11 calls to 911 to report eradic driving to say the least. Thanks in advance
Hot Sam
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:02 p.m.
I have heard that the perpetrator traveled from Jackson and that their were over 20 calls to 911 reporting his erratic driving. If that is true it would be beyond troubling...
ViSHa
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 7:25 p.m.
I was just wondering the same thing.
Hot Sam
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 6:33 p.m.
Amalie...is there any follow up on this story???
Hot Sam
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 3:28 p.m.
Actually Bunny what I am referring to is the inevitable comments from neighbors, family members etc., that when someone who does something this heinous, come out with bunch of excuses for their behavior...ie he didn't mean it...he's a good man...he normally doesn't act this way...and yada yada yada... Like I said...the "good man" is gone...
bunnyabbot
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 3:18 p.m.
@hotsam I am assuming you think they are talking about the driver of the truck as the good man, they are actually referring to the VICTIM who died who was in the Focus as the good man. The story mentions two men, one in the truck that slammed into the ford focus which the victim was in and was the wonderful man mentioned by other commentators.
Hot Sam
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 3:07 p.m.
John, My wife is a co worker of Marsha's...you are all in our prayers. This is a tragedy that is simply incomprehensible...
John
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 2:59 p.m.
This was my uncle who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It just makes sick that someone could be so careless and ignorant. Who is that messed up at 6:30 in the morning. An innocent man driving to work on a Sunday morning gets completely blindsided by some moron. If the driver of the truck could only see what he has done to members of my family especially his grieving widow, I do not think he could live with himself. I pray for the daughters, grandchildren, and wife he left behind. I only hope this can serve as some sort of lesson for those who read this.
Hot Sam
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.
While I will hold off on my final judgment until all the facts are in, I do have a couple of thoughts. First the speed alone would make the pickup driver guilty of a crime. As for the intoxication, time will confirm. Second, if I hear about what a "good man" or "good whatever" the pickup driver is, I will scream. Fact is, the "good man" here is gone...
bunnyabbot
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 10:44 a.m.
I think people who are reading the article and don't know what an HHR is are just trying to invision the scene, since I saw the scene of the accident I can picture the three vehicles, my guess is people are wondering if it was a small car or a big truck that the truck hit. regarding how someone can be drunk at 630 in the morning, I think it is possible, a couple years ago an off duty ann arbor cop had been drinking for new years, went to bed, fell asleep, woke up after a normal amount of sleep (6-8 hours) and caused an accident on jackson road. She thought she had "slept it off" enough, in fact I think that is why she had slept over at the party, b.c she knew she was too drunk to drive that evening. She lost her job. The drunk driver could have easily been drunk from his normal morning nip in his coffee or still had alcohol in his system from watching the 8pm U of M football game the night before or what have you. Who knows what kind of drunk or what kind of a drunk he is. regarding posts as to "driver attitude" and posted signs. I can only control how I drive and as I drive that route many times a week so I know the stop light is coming. But I cannot control others and have seen people who are obviously trying to beat the light or trying to time not having to break to coast thru a fresh green light or just not guaging the distance between themselves and the person in front of them who just accelerated from a dead stop as the light changed. If they made a traffic circle I it would to a big one.
donderop
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 10:18 a.m.
@Hmm: We've seen how prohibition works. If you need a reminder, check out "Boardwalk Empire." This is a matter of personal responsibility.
ViSHa
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
this is awful--why is it always the good guys? call me naive, but i just am having a hard time understanding "alcohol suspected" at 6:30 in the morning?? who does that??
Blue Eyes
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 10:01 a.m.
Spend some of the Obama $ and redesign the whole intersection! The number of accidents since that whole intersection was opened years ago is astronomical.
JGS
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 9:51 a.m.
@Tim - I totally agree. It doesn't matter what type of vehicles were involved. The fact of the matter was that an innocent life was lost tragically and unnecessarily. Tim and d.dodde - I am very sorry for your loss. I can relate very well to losing close family members.
jns131
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 8:45 a.m.
I heard this morning about a crash that involved alcohol. I wonder if this was the accident that they mentioned. Alcohol always seems to be a factor in a lot of these hi speed accidents. There are huge signs for drivers to slow down because there is a light ahead after you get off M14. I know I have driven that area myself. You can slow down but people these days are in way too much of a hurry. Good luck again to another tragic ending to the families.
A2Medic
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 7:59 a.m.
@ Everyone regarding the HHR.... My friend lost his life and your concerned about a make of a car?? Are you kidding me??? You read the whole article and you walk away only wondering what an HHR is??? Lord, help us all...
Hmm
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 7:54 a.m.
We need to prohibit alcohol sales again and I'm not even kidding about that.
Steve Pepple
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 7:44 a.m.
@Elaine. It is a Chevrolet crossover vehicle - a mix between a small, panel truck and a passenger car. Take a look at stunhsif's comment, two comments above yours, for a better explanation.
Elaine F. Owsley
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 7:33 a.m.
What, for heaven's sake, is an "HHR"?
Monica R-W
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 2:36 a.m.
Two separate crashes, less than three days apart. Both from drunk drivers and both took the lives of innocent victims. Sad, indeed.
Mike H.
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 12:23 a.m.
@Stefanie Murray: Why are we not allowed to discuss who's to blame when the article itself here mentions who is at fault? Are you saying we're not allowed to discuss the content of this news article or even repeat what was already stated in the article?
stunhsif
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:10 p.m.
To answer an earlier post asking what HHR stood for. The answer is, HHR stands for "High Heritage Roof". The Chevy HHR was designed using the mid fifties Chevy Panel Truck as it's inspiration. The Chevy HHR was not a version of the Chrysler PT Cruiser as was indicated by an earlier post. The PT Cruiser perhaps inspired GM to design the HHR but they are not related. There is no question though that neither a Chrysler PT Cruiser or a Chevy HHR would fair well with a full size Chevy pickup. The Chevy pickup had speed plus at least an additional 1000 pounds of weight. At this point, we can only hope and pray the driver of the Chevy pickup truck was not intoxicated. That would not change the fact that a family has lost a loved one but it would be better if a medical situation had caused the accident than someone under the influence of alcohol. Our condolences to the family who lost their loved one.
Tonya
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:02 p.m.
I just saw a pic of the car and I am sickened by this. I dont think I have ever seen such damage to a car in an accident like that before. This poor man doing the right thing and now he's gone. Clickondetroit.com says the guy who caused it was drunk. How many more innocent lives have to be lost!! My prayers to the victims family!
say it plain
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 10:34 p.m.
Ah, but @Nephilim, "driver attitude" is the one thing we can't fix! We can each fix our own of course, but not those of others. Not even getting people scared enough about, say, getting caught driving drunk, can force folks to just "not do it". What we can do is modify the structural stuff, like put in traffic circles, as people have suggested. I'm so sorry for everyone affected.
A2Medic
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 10:09 p.m.
Rest in peace my friend.. A selfless man died this morning at the hands of ignorance.. It's not worth it people.. Why is it that he needed to leave us, while on his way to work tending to the needs of others and yet the one who deserves to worst fate will walk away.. Life is a mystery.. Miss you already D.. Love you buddy..
Nephilim
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 8:56 p.m.
Everyone seems to have great ideas and even better suggestions on what more needs to be added or what government agency needs to do differently. A majority of folks who posted have witnessed other people (of course never themselves) run the red lights here, one person even tried to help out and continue with making excuses by saying "accidentally" running the red light. How about address the real problem: DRIVER ATTITUDE. Fix that and you will fix the bulk of the driving related problems and crashes everywhere. You can make each intersection look like the Christmas tree at the white house with warnings and lights and if you can't change driver attitude then it's for nothing.
AAFish
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 7:26 p.m.
@ d.dodde -- My condolences to you for this loss. I'm truly sorry. This sort of thing need not happen.
DonBee
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 5:42 p.m.
At least once a week I see someone run the red, going 1 way or the other at this intersection. The double red on Plymouth Road is typically the one I see people run, the turn off Ford and onto Plymouth and run the red in front of them. If I was a car repair person I would hang a sign on the corner, and check the corner for parts regularly, there is almost always new wreckage on the corner. It is not unusual to see a car run the light in the other direction too, mostly people coming off M-14 and not expecting a stop light. Even though there are warning signs. As much as I truly dislike (really loathe) traffic circles, this is one intersection that would benefit from them. I doubt any other solution would stop the red light running here. I know the Superior Township Sheriff Deputies sit on Plymouth Road and chase down light runner when they have the time.
a2susan
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 4:03 p.m.
Thanks for letting me know what an HHR is. It seems that it could have been better described in the article...but I realize that that was not the main focus.
stevek
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 3:41 p.m.
An HHR is a boxier version of a PT Cruiser
Greggy_D
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 3:36 p.m.
http://www.chevrolet.com/hhr/
DBH
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 3:36 p.m.
A Google search (and probably any other) yields multiple links. It is a type of retro-style auto. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_HHR
a2susan
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 3:23 p.m.
Can someone explain what an "HHR" is? My condolences to the family in this tragic death.
d.dodde
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 1:48 p.m.
This is an incredibly tragic event. The man killed in this accident was my ex-father-in-law and a remarkable person. The number of hearts broken by this single event are too overwhelming to comprehend. This is the second father lost by this family of four daughters, their husbands, ten grandchildren and his wife. He was kind, loving and generous to a fault. He laughed easily, loudly and often. He put everyone before himself... always. Please join me by putting this family in your thoughts and prayers for this event was truly tragic.
bunnyabbot
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.
@chap, I have seen MSP in that area as well as a deputy lately, people exiting the road tend to still be going 70mph, even those exiting off of M14 southbound need to look out for those merging on your left from those that exited M14 westbound who are also going over the speed limit, they are coming down off the bridge. It's like a drag race. Maybe more signs with a flashing yellow light above it that show an upcoming stoplight. IDK, but I see a lot of rear end collisions there, it's not unusal to see two cars on the curb who are waiting for a cop to write out an accident report. More of the accidents do seem to be on this very side of the road, the side where all of the traffic has exited the highway. That whole area is big for deer crossing too. I'm sure they will do some more speed inforcement on that area now.
chapmaja
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 1:16 p.m.
This is a bad intersection. I was almost caught in a wreck their last year because of a driver not paying attention and not realizing the light was changing. The road itself isn't dangerous, but maybe does need some work to prvent the speed of the drivers from being so high. The road doesn't have rumble strips prior to the intersection I don't think. Maybe rumble strips need to be installed in the road (and I hate those strips). In addition maybe the signage / lights need to be changed to alert drivers better to the light changing. The other thing might be better speed enforcement near the exit ramp. I know they often position a deputy in this vacinity, but maybe the MSP needs to be a be on this section of road with speed enforcment instead of on I94 between Dexter and Chelsea.
Julius
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 1:01 p.m.
If I'm not mistaken, the delay (when both directions are red) is quite long at this intersection.
Pizza Man
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 1 p.m.
How many "Jackson said's", do you count? I counted 7. Maybe the writer could have used a few more!
KarenSA
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 12:46 p.m.
I came up on this accident at 8:15 this morning. One of the cars was only recognizable as a car because of the wheel that you could see. This is a very dangerous intersection, and not because of the road per say, but because the drivers are in such a hurry to get somewhere. It does not surprise me that the person coming from M-14 was going 70 or over. The usual speed on M-14 on workday mornings is 80 miles per hour. If you want to go the speed limit, you must stay in the right hand lane, or risk being run over, or have someone flash their high beams for you to get out of their way.
bunnyabbot
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.
*clarification, extend the yellow light before it turns red and more of a pause between when the light turns red and when the green comes on for the cross traffic.
bunnyabbot
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 12:06 p.m.
I drove by this scene about 10:45/11 this morning. The Focus looked like it had been compacted into a cube like they do at the junk yard :( several times over the last few weeks I have seen a deputy positioned to catch speeders in that general area. I often make this drive and have to exit onto M153 from M14, I have stopped at that light and have had people brake hard to stop behind me or have seen people just blow through the red light altogether, I can only assume accidently. In my opinion the yellow should be time extended for M-153 with more of a pause before the cross traffic green comes on.