6 people involved in rollover crash; 3 critically hurt
Pittsfield Township police are investigating a rollover crash by a vehicle carrying six people at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Merritt and Munger roads.
The intersection, in the southeast area of the township, was closed while accident investigators gathered evidence.
Three of the occupants were in critical condition after the crash, police said early this morning, updating initial information that said at least two occupants had been seriously injured.
Police said the crash was on Merritt, west of Munger. It happened when the driver, a 23-year-old man from Ypsilanti, lost control of the car.
The car "left the roadway, hit two trees and landed in a ditch," according to a news release.
The driver is among the three occupants in critical condition. His front-seat-passenger, a 27-year-old Ypsilanti Township resident, was hospitalized in serious condition.
All of the passengers were children from Canton. Two, an 11-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy, are listed in critical condition. The girl was sent to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital by the University of Michigan Survival Flight.
The other children, whose ages weren't available, were in serious condition.
Police said early Monday that alcohol doesn't appear to be a factor in the crash, but they are investigating the speed of the vehicle when it left the road.
Comments
Ann English
Tue, Oct 2, 2012 : 12:20 a.m.
It does sound like the area has changed since 1996, when I drove down Munger Road, delivering phone directories along a specific postal route. Apparently Munger is still a dirt road. I remember Merritt east of it as dirt, but I don't remember Merritt going west of Munger at all. If deep ditches have been dug along Merritt, you would think motorists would slow down. Until now, I had only imagined vehicles getting stuck in such ditches, not traffic fatalities taking place. Sounds like Merritt has been kept a nice, smooth dirt road, enticing drivers to go faster than they would on a surface with a pothole here and there.
Frank Lee
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 2:48 p.m.
Below is a link to an article that includes a photo. You will have to copy and paste it into your browser for it to work. I have yet to find an article that notes which direction the car was traveling. It is worth mentioning that Merritt road is dirt west of Munger and paved to the east. I'm not sure how close to the intersection of Merritt and Munger the accident occurred, but the change in road surface may have played a part. http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/Family-hurt-in-Pittsfield-Township-crash/-/1719418/16798328/-/nddhet/-/index.html
jns131
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 2:33 p.m.
That area is really bad out there. Especially with that last one and speeders? Need more troopers on the road keeping down those speeds. Glad everyone turned out ok.
Billy
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 10:39 a.m.
Is that dirt or paved there?
D
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 11:03 a.m.
dirt road
GoNavy
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 10:38 a.m.
Any details on the type of automobile involved?
D
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 11:02 a.m.
kia