with gallery: U.S. 23 crash: Motorist killed when semitrailer overturns onto car

Michigan State Police said a preliminary investigation found the car, a 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser, and dual-trailer truck were traveling in the southbound lanes of the freeway north of Six Mile Road about 1 p.m. when a tire blew out on the semi, causing the driver to lose control. The semi swerved into the left lane, striking the passenger car, Sgt. Mark Thompson said in an emailed news release.

The rear trailer turned over onto the passenger car, Thompson said. The passenger car was crushed, killing the driver. The driver was a 58-year-old man from the Flint area, Michigan State Police Sgt. Mark Thompson said.

The guardrail leading to the point where the accident stopped was bent and disfigured, but the truck pinned the vehicle next to the guardrail.

The Washtenaw County Technical Rescue Team, which includes Huron Valley Ambulance, worked feverishly in the pouring rain Monday afternoon to right the trailer. The team had accomplished that before 2 p.m. The lone occupant of the car was declared dead at 2:05 p.m., Williams said. Further information about the accident victim was not available.

At one point, approximately 25 to 30 rescue workers were gathered around the vehicle, attempting to cut the person out. As the condition of the driver became clear, they slowly dissipated, leaving only four or five rescue workers huddled in the rain.

Emergency personnel were only able to cut off a portion of the car before 3 p.m. Monday. Workers draped a white sheet over part of the car before covering it with a blue tarp.

State police were still at the crash scene about 3 p.m. The freeway had been closed between 6 Mile and 8 Mile roads, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office said.

To this point, the only known injury is the deceased driver. The condition of the semi truck driver is unknown.

A Michigan State Police statement at 4:15 p.m. Monday confirmed the driver was a man, but no other information was being released until his family was notified. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash.

Southbound U.S. 23 is expected to reopen at 4:45 p.m., according to state police.

An accident reconstructionist was on scene Monday afternoon before the semi truck and crushed vehicle were taken away from the scene. As of 3 p.m., the driver's body was still in the vehicle.

Traffic was backed up along the freeway in both directions.

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