Ann Arbor residents in critical condition after crash on I-94 in Parma Township
Two Ann Arbor residents are in critical condition after an accident today on I-94 in Parma Township, the Jackson Citizen-Patriot reported.
They were identified as Alicia N. Doudna, 30, and Andrew Kratzat, 27.
A semi-truck westbound on I-94 tried to stop for slowing vehicles and attempted to avoid hitting the vehicle Doudna was driving by going into the right shoulder, according to a statement from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
However, the trailer of the truck then swung back and hit the Honda Civic that was stopped in the right lane. The statement said the Civic was then pushed into another semi-truck that was stopped in front of it, also in the right lane.
A Michigan State Police trooper does accident reconstruction after two people were seriously injured in a car accident on I-94 westbound just west of Concord Road on Tuesday afternoon. The accident tied up traffic on the freeway for hours.
Nick Dentamaro | Jackson Citizen-Patriot
Deputies responded to the crash at 12:53 p.m. north of Concord Road, according to the statement.
Westbound I-94 was closed at North Concord Road as of 4 p.m. and will be closed for several hours as the investigation and clean-up continues, the release stated. Motorists are being routed off the highway at Concord Road to Michigan Avenue and then north to M-99.
The sheriff’s office was assisted by Michigan State Police Traffic Services, Concord and Parma-Sandstone fire departments.
Comments
Rachel
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 3:42 a.m.
Dear Alicia, I wanted to let you know that you have inspired not only my violin playing but my life in general. Thank you, and I wish that you and Andrew recover completely.
Major
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
Bad drivers with trucks full of goods from China....nothing good to say about any of this. IMO trucks should only move at night, better still, cargo belongs on rails not roads!
a2migrl
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.
Exactly how are they going to get cargo from the rail to the stores for purchase or factories for manufacture? Strap it to horses or better yet people? It has to be trucked, be it long or short distances. Other options cost too much. I have seen my fair share of drivers thinking they can cut off a truck and then the truck having to slam on the brakes and try to stop and avoid that driver as well as those around him - isn't going to happen people. They weigh many times what a car does and it takes them that much longer to stop.
notsofast
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 1:07 p.m.
Let me add my 2 sense; How about the bus driver in NY (I beleive it was NY) that was pulling into traffic from the shoulder of the road and clipped the Truck Driver KILLING him. "What he couldn't see him as big as he is" or how about that guy last year that caused such a big explosen somewhere in Detroit because he ws driving wreckless. Let me give another fine example of how most drivers think these big rigs can stop on a dime. 30 years ago on M-60 a lady stopped at a stop, sign thought she could beat my dads truck crossing the road, my dad was traveling at the posted speed,he tried to stop. Need I explain the out come. I can tell you this much he lives with it everyday and at night to this day I can hear him in his sleep crying and trying to undo what had happened.
Steve Hendel
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 11:14 a.m.
I know ads pay the bills, but honestly, could you be more tasteless: "Scream for ice cream" embedded in a story about a horrific traffic accident?
Michelle
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
Not the first time this kind of situation has amazed me. Advertising seems to get top priority at annarbor.com.
Tony Dearing
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 11:43 a.m.
The ad has been removed.
dclarkharris
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 2:34 a.m.
In the old days these would have just been two anonymous names. But today I was able to find them both on Facebook and through posts and photographs I discovered that they both apparently are quite talented musicians and just great young people. I also found that we have friends in common. What was impersonal suddenly became personal. I wish for a speedy recovery for both. The world needs people like these. Godspeed!
Mike Garrahan
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 6:30 p.m.
He was supposed to play in a trio at Kerrytown Concert House this Saturday, and she played a recital there in March. I'm very interested in updates.
Lola
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 1:36 a.m.
I hope both Ms. Dounda and Mr. Kratzat recover completely. I think that's the real issue here. Best wishes to both of them.
SalineMachine
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 12:43 a.m.
Strict regulations and all, I hope this driver gets the book thrown at him. The State of Michigan has a maximum speed limit of 60 MPH for trucks and all commercial motors vehicles. When do you see trucks going 60? RARELY! They are usually passing me when I am in the slow lane doing 65-70. I'm unaware if speed was a factor here, but If it wasn't that would probably point to driver distraction.. maybe texting? watching a DVD? (YES, I know first hand of a trucker who straps a DVD player to the dash board for long trips.. STUPID). Anyway, my prayers are with the couple.
Tesla
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 2 a.m.
That's a Schneider National truck. They are governed at 60 MPH and generally can't go faster than that.
arearesident
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 1:09 a.m.
Actually, the speed limit is 65 on most expressway sections, in Michigan. You have no idea what this truck driver was or was not doing, prior to the collision. I would agree, that it seems like this driver was not paying adequate attention to the road and traffic conditions. Most professional drivers are they safest drivers on the road, as their life and livelihood rely upon their driving. If one driver does something stupid, it gets a lot of attention, but is a very small minority of them are problems.
thecompound
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
EVERYBODY needs to slow down when they see other vehicles slowing down and/or the construction signs. It's not rocket science.
Tesla
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.
Momma, It is already one of the most regulated industries around and it's not as easy to stop a semi truck as it is your Toyota. Do you realize almost everything you have touched since you woke this morning arrived to you on one of those semi trucks?
arearesident
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 12:56 a.m.
How about when the four-wheelers keep cutting in front of the trucks, far too closely. That takes up the stopping space they trucks need. (Trucks need much more room than most four-wheelers give them.)
Tesla
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 12:44 a.m.
Without a doubt he is at fault. You always are when you hit someone from the rear. But Mile for mile trucks are in far fewer accidents than passenger vehicles. Trucks account for about 3% of all vehicular accidents.
theodynus
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 : 11:25 p.m.
The simple fact of the matter is that the truck driver is at fault. Being the magical transporter of all things doesn't mean you can follow traffic too close to slow down before killing someone.
Momma G
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 : 10:14 p.m.
Why can't these semi-truck drivers slow down before they have to swerve or hit vehicles in front of them? There are plenty of signs for the constuction ahead. How about putting the semi-drivers on a time constraint i.e. can only drive after dark and have to be off the road during daylight. I hate semi-trucks!
treetowncartel
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 3:41 a.m.
Share the road!
Fat Bill
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 1:42 a.m.
What Mike D. is saying makes some sense: If we embraced intermodal and utilized it to it's fullest potential, there would be far fewer interstate truck trips. It makes little sense to pick up a load in Los Angeles and trasport it to Detroit via long haul truck when you could put it on a train with a hundred other trailers, thus reducing some of the load on the interstate system. Either way, you will still need trucks, intermodal shipping just reduces the number of trucks on the road.
Chase Ingersoll
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 1:36 a.m.
Hello?! "...if we subsidized rail..." Rail?? Where do you think most of the trailers are picking or dropping off their cargo - at a rail hub like those in Detroit/Romulus. They then haul the last couple hundred miles. Oh but that's right, lets just throw a rail line down Washtenaw, so all of the Whole Foods shoppers can pat themselves on the back for being even more green. Further , the newest truck engines actually clean the air....yes, the air coming out of them is actually cleaner than the air coming in. Amazing technology. Where do you think much of the dollars for green technology is coming from - billions spent by the truck industry because mileage improvements go right to their bottom line.
Mike Folk
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 1:31 a.m.
Roads were made to transport goods, cars just get to use them. According to your logic, cars shouldn't be able to use them during the day.
jcj
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 1:23 a.m.
Mike D Please explain the logistics of getting products to oh lets say Kroger's at Westgate.
jrigglem
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.
I have to agree with Momma about trucks needing to slow down. I lived off 50 in Dundee and they were constantly driving by my house at speeds greater than the posted limit of 30. I now live off Rogers in Tecumseh and there are the sound of air brakes being forced for a stop all day long. They need to slow down, AND PAY ATTENTION!
dconkey
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 12:23 a.m.
Momma G, I guess you are going to have to start growing all of your own food, making your own clothes, doing without all of the niceties you have in your house, and for that matter, you may not even have a house without trucks. They bring EVERYTHING you buy to stores. I have seen my fair share of car/truck accidents , and all of them have been caused by the driver of the car.
MH
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 : 11:34 p.m.
Um, Mike D., how do you propose taking the goods to and from the trains?
Mike D.
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 : 11:18 p.m.
If we stopped subsidizing the trucking industry and instead put the subsidies into rail, we'd have fewer semis tearing up the roads (and us) and lower overall carbon emissions. And we'd still be able to shop.
cookiemom
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
Except in this case.
Elizabeth
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
Momma G, how would you like to do your job only after dark? What about if it interfered with the time you get to spend with your family? For many truckers, weekends are the only time they have to spend with their families - but with limited driving hours, they'd probably have to give that up. And what if, if your idea was put into place, people in cars could only drive during the daytime and not at night? There do seem to be a lot of car accidents then. Guess you couldn't enjoy any late-night dining or activities - but oh well, it makes the most sense! ...right?
Kelly
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.
Hate semi trucks? Funny!! I bet you like shopping, living in your home..etc... Where you think it ALL comes from? Most truck accidents occur because of the 4-wheelers actions around them.
KMHall
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
It is nerve wracking to drive among them. If we put more constraints and regulations on trucking, all of our goods will increase in price. Perhaps we should be paying that price.