U-M employee struck by truck remains hospitalized with head injuries
Courtesy of Ann Arbor police
The man struck by a vehicle at the intersection of South University Avenue and Church Street Wednesday suffered major head injuries, his niece said.
He remains in the hospital, where officials said the man was in fair condition Thursday afternoon.
"He is conscious, but extremely confused," Lissa Danek, the victim's niece, said in an email.
Danek said her uncle is in his 40s and is a scientific researcher at the University of Michigan. School officials confirmed he was employed at U-M.
Danek asked that her uncle's name not be published.
The driver, also a school employee, was operating a university-owned vehicle at the time of the accident, U-M spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said. Officials and witnesses have described the vehicle as some sort of truck.
Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush said the truck was headed east on South University Avenue around noon Wednesday. The driver came to a halt at the Church Street stop sign and was attempting to make a lefthand turn when he hit the victim who was walking through the crosswalk, police said.
“(The driver) basically did not see the pedestrian,” Bush said, adding that he immediately stopped to "render assistance." Other people in the area also came to the man's aid, according to witnesses.
Verena Ward, of Ann Arbor, was walking to a restaurant with friends and was about to cross Church Street when she saw the man coming toward her hit by the truck. She said the truck was going very slow through the turn when it struck the man.
"It was awful," Ward said.
The injured man was lying in the crosswalk when responders arrived, Bush said. He was taken to U-M Hospital, where he remains, Danek said.
Bush said no tickets have been issued to the driver and that police are continuing to investigate.
The man's family is from mostly out of state. His mother was on her way to Michigan early Thursday morning from Iowa, Danek said.
"The family knows it was tragic, but we are also looking for answers," she wrote.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
jackdaniels
Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 4:09 a.m.
brain injury is a very sad and scary occurrence, I really hope he recovers well.
EasyArray
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
Like many people here I can imagine myself as the driver in this tragic accident. But it's disheartening to hear the police effectively make an excuse, saying that the driver "basically did not see the pedestrian." Although it is a daily activity for many of us, driving is very dangerous! It is our absolute responsibility as drivers to never even put ourselves in a position where we might not see a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Especially at a stop sign, you have the time to check twice.
Mr. Me
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 11:56 a.m.
S University should be a pedestrian zone, with one lane for emergency vehicles, permitted delivery vehicles, and bicycles.
48104
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:26 p.m.
But as this was a University vehicle, it likely would have been permitted. It sounds like everyone was doing what they should, but at the four way stop the driver of the truck just didn't see the pedestrian in the crosswalk next to him, not in front of him. Four ways can be distracting that way -- I don't go through this intersection often, but the one near the B School on Church at Hill has a similar issue. The cars are watching each other, making sure to take their turn properly, and pedestrians seem to become a second thought.
John Counts
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:45 a.m.
I was give several different descriptions of what kind of vehicle it was from different officials, eyewitnesses and others close to the situation, namely the victim's family. It has been described to me as a pick-up truck, truck and van. The term "truck" seemed the most generic and conveys, at the very least, that we know it wasn't a car.
JRW
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:28 a.m.
The type of truck is not listed in the article, but some trucks driving around town have a lot of blind spots and few windows, making it hard to see in the best of circumstances. Glad the driver stopped and hope for the best for the pedestrian. I've had my share of close calls crossing streets in the crosswalks around town. Be safe out there.
John Q
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:31 p.m.
Another reason why not every article needs commenting turned on.
Gary Haller
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 10:49 p.m.
As a Road Service Agent working in the down town area, I see the kids and adults as well walking right out into traffic and not even looking at whats coming.. Its very dangerous and I am surprised that there arent more accidents I dont know why the students dont pay any attention ~ all i know is I brake and stop for everybody.. its the right thing to do
NoPC
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:14 a.m.
Good that you have a sense of responsibility. I just wish some of these pedestrians and bicyclist would have the same sense of responsibility by looking out for traffic. After all, they ARE in a traffic zone. Duh...
Ann Dwyer
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 9:12 p.m.
Depending on the truck he drove, if it was a box type, they are very hard to stop. Even going slow. I knew someone who used to drive them and he would describe situations of having to go through red lights because of the way those trucks shift. He would be stuck in the middle of the intersection if he tried to stop.
Ann English
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:36 a.m.
Something "having to go through red lights" is often an emergency vehicle. It sounds like the inertia that car drivers have to pay attention to in the winter (don't stop, or you'll lose traction) apply to box type trucks on roads at all temperatures. If it's moving, it doesn't want to stop. If it's stationary, it doesn't want to move.
Brad
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:06 a.m.
What responsible person would drive something "having to go through red lights"? Seriously?
Brad
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:28 p.m.
Surprise! Clowns.
Martha Cojelona Gratis
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 9:33 p.m.
I have the same problem..
48104
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 9:09 p.m.
It just goes to show that everyone can be doing the "right thing" and the pedestrian is still at a huge disadvantage. Be safe out there, people! Good thought to everyone involved, and the witnesses as well. That had to be horrible to see.
treetowncartel
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 8:47 p.m.
I hope this guy turns out all right. Head injuries can have lingering effects. Two things to note. First, looks like the insurance company will be the same one for the driver, the U and the ones paying this man's hospital bill. It would be interesting to see how that plays out down the road. Second, The Bernstein firm is conflicted out on this one.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 8:07 p.m.
WOW - So, reviewing yesterday's comments: Not: 1. An airhead college kid buried in an iphone. 2. A college kid at all 3. A speeding motorist who 'has no business there' 4. etc. ad nauseum So, like Paul Harvey said.....
a2citizen
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 10:02 a.m.
"Danek said her uncle is in his 40s ..."
talker
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 5:08 a.m.
Why is someone concluding the man hit by the truck is middle aged? He does research, he's an uncle and his mother is coming to see him. No piece of information says "middle aged."
JBK
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 11:52 p.m.
EyeHeart! You raise very valid points. People were quick to try and pin blame ONLY to find out that the victim is middle aged, the driver was not speeding and it just appears to be a bad accident.
thisisnutzz
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 7:58 p.m.
Yes we are pulling for you, well said TryingToBeObjective! I keep checking for updates as it's been heavy on my heart; hoping for more good news.
leezee
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 7:36 p.m.
Keeping good thoughts for a speedy recovery for the pedestrian. I am also keeping good thought for the driver.
Paprika Z
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 7:29 p.m.
Both the injured man and the man driving the truck that hit him are in my thoughts.
TryingToBeObjective
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 7:07 p.m.
Prayers for the man and his family. AA is pulling for u!