2 dead, 1 injured in head-on collision in Pittsfield Township
Police are investigating the head-on crash that killed two people and injured another in Pittsfield Township Monday morning.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Update: Names of 2 men killed in head-on crash in Pittsfield Township released by police
Two people are dead and one is in critical condition after a head-on collision Monday morning in Pittsfield Township, fire and medical officials said.
Two are dead and one person is injured after a head-on collision in Pittsfield Township that closed Michigan Avenue Monday.
Paula Gardner | AnnArbor.com
According to police, a 28-year-old Ypsilanti Township man and an 81-year-old Freedom Township man were killed in the crash. A 71-year-old Freedom Township woman was the person transported to the hospital.
Deputy Police Chief Gordy Schick said family members of one of the deceased were still being notified.
Gleason said firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate three people from the crash.
Huron Valley Ambulance spokeswoman Joyce Williams said one person was transported to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in critical condition.
Police are investigating the crash Monday morning and a cause was not immediately clear.
Police closed Michigan Avenue after the crash, but it reopened as of noon Monday.
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call the Pittsfield Township Public Safety Department at 734-822-4911.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
marka2
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 12:43 a.m.
Seems like these days there are very few mechanical failures leading to death or injury. I think if we would outfit cars to broadcast relative vehicle position and driver input then we could buzz the driver(s) when they do something dangerous.
Mike
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 11:29 p.m.
That section of road is where it narrows to one lane. It has been the sight of many fatal accidents. I am so sorry for those that have been hurt and killed at this location. Pittsfield Township has speculated for years about widening this stretch of Michigan Ave. I hope that they once again look into the safety of this road. Please consider the safety of all our drivers in US 12. Widening this section of US12 would be much wiser than resurfacing other sections that may be slightly over used. This should have been done before Platt Road was resurfaced.
TommyR
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 2:21 p.m.
To heyhelen who posted at 5:54pm on 7/29. As you witnessed this accident, do you think you could please call the Pittsfield Township Public Safety Department at 734-822-4911, and give them whatever information you can? I think this could be very helpful to the people trying to resolve why this crash happened. Eventually knowing what happened will ultimately help to bring peace to the families of the victims. Ben Alden was the son of one of my closed friends. With many thanks - TR
Elliott
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 4:15 a.m.
Was the driver of the wandering car texting/dialing his cellphone, or even just talking o his phone?
julieswhimsies
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 10:33 p.m.
Sending blessings and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victims in this horrific tragedy.
heyhelen
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 9:54 p.m.
I was 3 or 4 cars behind the black car...the one driven by the young man and saw the accident happen. All of a sudden the black car drifted into the other lane and hit the the car with the two elderly people head on.
intellcity
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 6:43 a.m.
So this actually had nothing to do with the Platt/Textile/Michigan intersection except for the proximity to the accident. re the SUVs: I was behind one on I-96 this Monday evening that drifted off the road toward the median. When the tire hit the rumble strip the driver jerked the steering wheel so hard that the right rear lifted off the pavement and then the left rear came up when the driver corrected back. I hit the brakes because I thought it was going to flip but it just wobbled a bit more and then went on down the road. I do not know what the driver was doing, other than passing me but I would say not paying attention to driving. So many of us feel we are so important, our time is so valuable, that we can't waste any of it by merely driving. We need to make better use of that otherwise wasted driving time by doing other things while we are out on the road. If not that, then we cut back and forth saving several seconds for each car we get ahead of. The seconds add up and can be a full minute by the time we get to our destination. And anyone that has a problem with the sudden braking going on behind should have been paying more attention. And we should not let the remaining 4 lane roads be reduced to where we can't get around anyone wanting to just drive the posted speed.
thisisnutzz
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 10:17 p.m.
:(
jns131
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 10:10 p.m.
Wow. What a thing to live with. At least it was two and not three. Being a first responder is not fun. I know.
Anna
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 8:19 p.m.
Is there any indication yet as to the perceived cause of the accident? My condolences.
jane
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 8:14 p.m.
Pray for the families of the accident victims, along with the 1st responders who work through this tragedy. Drivers, use that left turn lane all the time as a speed lane to beat the backups along Michigan Ave. Making extra lanes on each side with a Island separating both sides of traffic might help.
dmalmquist
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7:51 p.m.
US12, between US 23 and Clinton, running through Saline, is called, by those of us who commute it daily, the "Highway of Death" as there are so many accidents leading to fatalities along that stretch of road. It really needs to be redesigned and made a boulevard between US 23 and Saline like Jackson Ave west of Ann Arbor.
jns131
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 10:09 p.m.
There is enough room to stretch that road and put up a barrier to keep those from traveling into the wrong lane. Sad to hear this one. Channel 4 news was a little more graphic then the picture above.
Basic Bob
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 8:04 p.m.
That was the plan 15 years ago but our friends in the township administration got SEMCOG to replace it with their State Road project. Don't they go to the office and see the problem every day?
Napalm.Morning
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7:46 p.m.
Absolutely one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the area due to the speed and traffic volume. The standing directive for the drivers in my household is to avoid Michigan Avenue whenever practical/possible even if it means taking the "scenic route".
Sammy
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7:42 p.m.
I'm sad for the families and I am disgusted at Washtenaw Road Commission and the state of Michigan MDOT. The M-12 (Michigan Ave) / US-23 / Platt road is one of the worst in South East Michigan. There is a backup every day, and people cut through all the time. Back in the late 90s, there was a study to expand the intersection and build a secure/good road to allow of an excellent flow of traffic (double-lane bridge, new in/out of the freeway, etc.) That project was put on hold or "lack of money". 4 years ago, the president offered money for "shovel ready jobs". I called Pittsfield Township to see if they could submit for funding from DC. They had no clue and deferred me to Lansing. I called Lansing, and they deferred me to Washtenaw. Called Washtenaw and guess what? Back to Lansing! Can Ann Arbor.com get an article together with some data / facts on the number of accidents in that area, number of cars, traffic, etc.? We really need to a better safer road.
jcj
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 12:26 a.m.
Are you insinuating that something other than driver error caused this accident?
jns131
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 10:07 p.m.
At least they are currently getting rid of some of the problems on our roadways. But evidently it is not fast enough. I agree with one thing though. A round about would be a great idea in that area and shutting down that one stretch of cut thru to one way.
daywell
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7:20 p.m.
Awful sad news
obviouscomment
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 6:59 p.m.
I used to live in apartments just down from there and frequented that intersection. It was the worst part of my commute. Very dangerous because of so much traffic and so many people trying to get ahead or around others. I can picture a number of ways this accident could have happened there because there are always people doing crazy things in that spot. I can't believe I never got in an accident in the death trap that is Michigan Ave between Carpenter and Platt. ::knock on wood::
wiggie
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 6:27 p.m.
I live nearby and can't tell you how many crashes I've seen or heard at this intersection over the years. Many have been serious and almost all of them seem to involve use of Textile Rd (between Platt and US-12) as a cut-through to avoid the congestion at the corner of Platt and US-12. Turns to/from this portion of Textile are hazardous in nearly every direction but remain legal for no reason that I can fathom. To my eye, the only benefit of keeping it open is to preserve access to 1-2 residential driveways. Has any thought been given to closing this section of road as a throughway?
ThinkingOne
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7:37 p.m.
If for some reason they can't completely close it at the intersection of Michigan, maybe at least make it one-way westbound.
thisisnutzz
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7:28 p.m.
Completely agree, I live at the condos there and impatient drivers always create a nightmare by trying to cut through or driving on the shoulder/passing on the right shoulder to turn onto Textile off Michigan Ave. The worst is when people turn left off Textile onto Michigan Ave cutting through traffic and wielding their cars with what appears to be eyes closed. I hope it one day becomes a private drive and NOT a shortcut.
Jaime Magiera
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 5:51 p.m.
Question for commentors: On my radio show the past few years, I've been discussing the rise of autonomous vehicles. Several states have given the green light for testing and eventual implementation. In fact, there were tests of a large autonomous car system here in Ann Arbor last year. A lot of commenters are understandably concerned about the amount of death and destruction surrounding automobile use. If autonomous vehicle systems were implemented in Michigan, after being proven to be safe, would you use them?
kmgeb2000
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 8:17 p.m.
I'd have to "see" the demonstration on a January winters morning after 8-inches of white stuff sliding down Miller Rd. After that, I'd still pass. The Miata is way to much fun not to drive (when its nice).
djacks24
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7:24 p.m.
Seeing as I plan on buying a brand new car like never (I buy used for cash usually) probably not anytime soon. But I would hope you could easily manually override the technology if need be.
Greggy_D
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7 p.m.
No way whatsoever. The cars can be hacked. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oqe6S6m73Zw I'm not giving up control of my vehicle to anyone.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 5:48 p.m.
How sad that we have had so many accidents around town recently. Lots of lives changed in an instant, that is for sure.
Richard
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 4:52 p.m.
On a daily basis, I see dangerously aggresive driving and drivers not paying attention. I suggest that the number of accidents could be cut in half if drivers would pay attention to their driving and not be in such a hurry to get to the next stop light or fast food restaurant.
63Townie
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 4:28 p.m.
The rash of fatal accidents in the the past couple of weeks is stunning. They highlight though how much of our brains and senses need to be engaged to safely operate a motor vehicle. Even then, the best drivers make mistakes. A moment of inattention is sometimes all that is needed and you can end up with tragic consequences. My condolences go out to all the affected families.
Warbler
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 4:51 p.m.
"They highlight though how much of our brains and senses need to be engaged to safely operate a motor vehicle. Even then, the best drivers make mistakes. " Actually, even the best drivers can meet their untimely death in a heartbeat while driving at their best. All it takes is someone else who does not have their senses engaged to safely operate a vehicle to put to shame one's attentive driving habits.
Eep
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 4:33 p.m.
It would be much more bizarre to have fatal accidents occurring at regularly scheduled, even intervals than to have an occasional cluster of accidents one after another. Not that what's happened the past few weeks isn't terrible - I'm just not sure its statistically meaningful.
Elaine F. Owsley
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:46 p.m.
Doesn't it seem we've seen an unusual number of crashes and roll-overs of late? Hardly a day goes by without some highway or roadway accident with dire results.
jcj
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 12:29 a.m.
Bob We have been driving a small SUV for 14 years. NEVER once experienced anything that made me think it was going to roll.
Eep
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 6:29 p.m.
@Bob - there was no SUV involved in this accident. Both vehicles were sedans.
Basic Bob
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 5:16 p.m.
it's not a wild claim. suv passing a truck on the left shoulder on m-14, rolls over suv drives off left shoulder, overcorrects on us-23, rolls over suv makes sharp turn on i-94, rolls over this one also involving suv in an area the police watch for cars speeding past stopped traffic in the left lane
jcj
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 5:09 p.m.
Basic Would you mind backing up that wild claim? The biggest constant in most accidents is distraction or carelessness.
Basic Bob
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 4:21 p.m.
all involving an suv going out of the normal travel lane
Basic Bob
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:44 p.m.
Textile Road got chopped in half by US-23. The western part intersects US-12 at a sharp angle next to Williams Party Store on the south side of Michigan Ave. toward the dead end, and the former used car lot on the north side toward Platt Rd. Horrible road, only getting worse.
SpaceGirl
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:40 p.m.
Wow. This is awful. I wonder what happened??? There was no where to turn at that stretch of road. It looks like the SUV just crossed the center line and hit the car head on. So terrible, condolences to the families and friends of those who died. I am thankful that I was running late for work today, this could have been me. :-(
daywell
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7:21 p.m.
So glad it wasn't you
agutie87
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 4:58 p.m.
Actually, the black car was a Chevy Cobalt, not an SUV. It sort of looked like it because the roof was torn open, but I drove by at 8:37, shortly after the incident before traffic was blocked. I work right down the street. Such a tragic incident. Traffic is always so horrible on this road.
millermaple
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:40 p.m.
How many traffic fatalities so far this year?
wiggie
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 4:46 p.m.
Anyone know how to get the statistics for this particular intersection? It seems to be dangerous.
Kyle Feldscher
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 4:07 p.m.
millermaple and Eep - I've run those numbers as well (only from 2009 though, Eep) and it appears that it's usually a fairly stable number. I'm waiting to hear back on year-to-date numbers from 2013. It seems we usually have 20-30 fatal crashes every year.
Eep
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:59 p.m.
The State Police have a website where you can download traffic crash report statistics on a yearly basis for each city and county. I just looked at the number of fatalities in Washtenaw County for 2007 thru 2012, and I don't see any trend one way or another. The number fluctuates from a low of 20 in 2010 to a high of 35 in 2011, with numbers higher and lower in the other years.
Cindy Heflin
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:41 p.m.
We are looking into that millermaple.
NSider
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:23 p.m.
Holding my breath, waiting, I have young relatives that live near there.
tommy_t
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:47 p.m.
My condolences to family and friends. What the heck is going on? I' ve never seen such a rash of fatal accidents in this area.
NoPC
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7:28 p.m.
Too many distractions while driving. Now I'm not as pure and innocent as the wind driven snow, but I do know not to text, read emails or look at Gas Buddy until I have stopped the car. What a shame. Prayers to the families.
treetowncartel
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 4:50 p.m.
Or just drive a Suburban
djacks24
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 4:11 p.m.
If you want to be "safer than ever" in an automobile, have a full roll cage installed in your vehicle with a 6 point harness. Also, you'll have to wear a full fire retardant suit and a full faced helmet for your commute. Otherwise, to make vehicles any safer they will have too built like tanks (and will probably be as fast and maneuverable as a tank). Also, you'll easily be paying into the six figures for said transportation. Otherwise, you'll have to wait for technologies like google is testing where the vehicles drive themselves.
Candy
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:38 p.m.
In a word, "speed." I live off of Michigan Ave., and most people on that road don't slow down for anyone or anything. My condolences to all involved, but I wish drivers in the area would JUST SLOW DOWN!
Paul
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:32 p.m.
What we get for not educating drivers and cheaply built cars--that we are told are "safer then ever" Sure doesn't look that way when they crash and fall completely apart.
SalineSoccerMom
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:17 p.m.
This is terrible... I hate to hear when these things happen so close to home..
justcurious
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:14 p.m.
Kyle, Textile doesn't cross Michigan Ave., though Platt does. I'm sorry to hear of yet another fatal crash occurring on area roads. I will not blame the roads however. Hopefully we will know more about what happened soon.
NSider
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:21 p.m.
That is a weird little triangle there, some use Textile to cut past the light at Platt. Could not have been closer to Police and Fire though,that's for certain.
djm12652
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:19 p.m.
Isn't Platt north and south bound and Textile East and West bound? So sad that lives were lost.
justcurious
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:16 p.m.
Sorry Kyle, I'm wrong. Part of Textile does intersect Michigan, as you said.
djacks24
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:06 p.m.
That intersection is horrible enough. I wouldn't really expect a head on collision to happen there as I would someone crossing Michigan Ave or turning onto Michigan Ave. I'll be curious to to read what actually happened. Sorry to those who've lost loved ones.
LaMusica
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 1:41 p.m.
Oh no, how awful...my heart goes out to the friends and family of the victims.