Grand Rapids woman killed in Sunday afternoon rollover crash on U.S.-23
- Previous story: Rollover crash snarls traffic on U.S.-23 near Washtenaw Ave.
A 43 year-old Grand Rapids woman was killed Sunday after rolling her vehicle several times while traveling on U.S.-23 in Ann Arbor, the Michigan State Police said.
Bonnie Brush
From the Grand Rapids Press
Bonnie Brush was pronounced dead at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti, police said in a release.
The accident took place at approximately 12:20 p.m. while Brush was driving her red 2001 Honda CRV northbound just north of the Washtenaw Avenue exit.
Police said she was traveling in the left lane and went onto the left shoulder as she entered a curve. It's believed Brush overcorrected and swerved to the right, losing control and rolling several times in the center median.
Brush was wearing a seatbelt, and neither alcohol nor drugs are believed responsible.
The crash tied up traffic on the busy freeway in both directions for several hours. Motorists who saw the incident reportedly tried to assist on the scene.
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Approximate location of the crash Sunday
Comments
David Muzzatti
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 6:05 p.m.
I think it's time for Mr. Snyder to follow Ontario's lead & ban cellphone use while driving.
Great Lakes Lady
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 6:46 p.m.
Tell that to your legislators. They are the ones introducing laws.
Michisbest
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:53 p.m.
If this happened as she was "northbound" why is the indicator on the southbound exit ramp to Washtenaw ave? There was another rollover last Saturday just north Of Geddes where it is a strait road. I saw the driver climbing out of her car throught the busted window as I stopped to see if she was ok. She told me she was talking on her phone and looked down luckily she seemed unharmed. I left when the police arrived.
TryingToBeObjective
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:32 p.m.
Condolences to Ms. Brush's family and friends. This was an accident. A human life was lost. She was someone's family. Lets remember that.
Tom Teague
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:09 p.m.
My prayers go out to Ms. Brush's family, friends and students at East Kentwood HS. No matter the direct cause of this tragedy, driving on US-23 can be especially challenging and requires every driver's full attention. Accepted speeds on the road seem to me to be creeping upward, and I've noticed more dangerous behaviors lately, particularly tailgating and drivers weaving through traffic. It's past time for a more visible enforcement presence on the highway.
Interesting Ideas
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 1:23 p.m.
This the second "driving on the Shoulder" of the freeway accident that's happened in a few weeks! Just slow down people. Really. You'll get there..and being alive will make it a lot more fun!
Alex26
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 12:53 p.m.
I came across this accident right after it occurred while the first responders were on scene. I wish the best for her family and friends. Perhaps we can learn how to improve this section of the road from this incident. I have always thought this corner is very dangerous . It's pretty sharp for being a highway curve, followed by loose gravel shoulder, then a steep drop off into a grassy median. I am no physics or highway engineer, but would a guardrail have helped the situation?
Ann English
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7:01 p.m.
I intended to get on northbound US-23 from Washtenaw about 25 minutes after the accident, but I was too late; that entrance was already closed to eastbound Washtenaw traffic. It was strange to be driving on northbound US-23 (I got on at Geddes) with NO vehicles behind me, but I didn't drive any faster than usual.
NSider
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
We really don't have enough information to comment on this woman's death. I just want to remind folks of a zippy little commercial that used to be played, courtesy of MDOT, with the tagline "Speed Kills". The speed limit is a LIMIT, not a requirement. If more folks drove based on the conditions of 1. their ability, 2. their vehicle, and 3. the roadways, I believe we would have fewer accidents, and the following fatalities.
John
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 7:10 p.m.
I get what you're saying, but consider that someone going 10mph UNDER the limit is just as likely to be the cause of an accident (not legally speaking maybe, but functionally) as a person driving 10 over. People who drive especially slow on highways where everyone else is going 70mph and above seriously throw off the flow of traffic. Like dropping a rock into a stream. Everyone else has to move around them just to get back into the general traffic flow.
Linda Peck
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 6:35 p.m.
NSider, are you implying that the speed limit is discretionary? That is not the way I understand the meaning of speed limit.
thinker
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 11:50 a.m.
How many fatalities have occurred around Ann Arbor on US23, M14, and I94 this year? It seems like at least once a week there is a fatality or a rollover. Has the DOT looked at these curves, at these areas, to see if there is anything they can do? Caution arrows, like on I94 at eastbound Kalmbach Rd , or something?
Johnson48racing
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:48 p.m.
Very good point, maybe some advance curve signs woulds help, drivers not familiar with that area have no idea that there is a sharp S curve after Washtenaw going north on 23. Caution arrows, like on I94 at eastbound Kalmbach Rd couldn't hurt anything.
A2comments
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 11:30 a.m.
The number of serious/deadly accidents on Ann Arbor area highways seems to be climbing. More police presence is needed, although probably wouldn't help this type of accident.
sellers
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 11:34 a.m.
Traffic volumes may be increasing too, so we should look at percentages and areas of repeated behaviors.
JRW
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:46 a.m.
If they are going to list alcohol and drugs as factors (or not) in crashes, they need to add: cell phone use and speed as factors (or not) as well. Much sympathy to the family.
ez12c
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 11:59 a.m.
"The crash wasn't caused by: 1. cell phones 2. speed 3. antidepressants.... 1,972,457. the devil 1,972,458. Obama, etc etc etc Come on...you cannot possibly list all the things that did not play a role in the crash in every reported accident. Get real.
Basic Bob
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:13 a.m.
Is the second 2001 SUV that's rolled over on an Ann Arbor freeway this month?
PittsfieldTwp
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 3:52 p.m.
Actually, GoNavy, its not exactly like a beefed up Civic. It has a much higher center of gravity, and it DOES have a higher roll rating than the Civic as well. I used to own a Honda CRV and got rid of it. Many compact SUV owners believe they are getting something safer because its an SUV, even though its smaller. However, they are much more prone to rolling than a sedan of the same size. Also, I would not state that the maneuver the driver did was careless or reckless. Over correcting is a common reaction to accident avoidance. Problem is, most cars with low centers of gravity will just spin or skid, but higher center of gravity can roll.
AADriver
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 1:42 p.m.
A big part of this is the lack of stability control on these older models you always hear about rolling over. Combine that with a higher center of gravity, and a lack of driving skill and poor driving habits (likely not leaving enough following distance, and/or being on the phone) exacerbates the problem.
Peregrine
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : noon
It's not ground clearance so much as how high the center of gravity is. Also, inflating tires to the manufacturer suggested pressure is very important. And that's before we get to driver behavior. Making no assumptions as to what happened in this crash, maintaining a good distance between you and the vehicle ahead is very important. If you're too close, you're more likely to swerve to avoid rear-ending that vehicle, and the closer you are the more drastic your swerve needs to be. Bad, selfish, and just plain short-sighted behavior on the roads is just too prevalent. I'd love to see stronger enforcement in order to bring about behavioral change.
GoNavy
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 11:33 a.m.
In addition to what JCJ wrote, the newest breed of crossovers (on car platforms, as mentioned) actually have better rollover statistics now than the original truck-frame based SUVs of the 90's. In the case of the Honda CRV (the car the victim was driving), it's really just a beefed up Honda Civic.
jcj
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:27 a.m.
Keep in mind Bob. There are many vehicles classified as "SUV's' that have no more ground clearance than a non SUV. You need to update any preconceived idea you have of an SUV. Popular in the late-1990s and early–mid-2000s, SUVs sales temporarily declined due to high oil prices and a declining economy. The traditional truck-based SUV is gradually being supplanted by the crossover SUV, which uses an automobile platform for lighter weight and better fuel efficiency, as a response to much of the criticism of sport utility vehicles
Sam S Smith
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 1:18 a.m.
Special thoughts and prayers for Ms. Brush, her family and friends
Speedy Squirrel
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 1:17 a.m.
I think they need to start adding "cell phone related" in addition to alcohol/drug related. Driver distraction is a big problem everywhere. Not saying it was the cause in this case, but if it was, it would be useful information. It might make people more aware of the risk.
GoNavy
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 11:30 a.m.
If you want to see real driver distraction, try walking home from work during rush hour in downtown AA. Walk down 5th or Division where the cars start to back up, or look at drivers going up and down Huron queued up for the lights. Try to find the individuals who are *not* talking on their phones. I get it - you're bored; the phone is there and there are so many minutes in your plan! Plus, you're always connected, and you've got business to conduct. Try to keep in mind that you're piloting two and a half tons of vehicle endowed with more power than the original Porsche 911 Turbo ("the Widowmaker"). Also try to remember that you are not on rails - that it is your responsibility to operate the wheel, the brakes, etc. Finally, keep in mind that there are others on the road.
JRW
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:49 a.m.
Totally agree that driver distraction is a huge problem. I see it all over town. I'm not saying it was a factor in this case, but am making a statement about seeing people texting and talking on the phone while driving all over roads and streets in the city and region.
jcj
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 2:14 a.m.
Totally agree.
towncryer
Mon, Jul 29, 2013 : 1:52 a.m.
I agree. It seems like it is getting worse in town. I hate to honk at people but lately I feel like I'm doing it all the time. But as you said, this may not be the case here. Very sad, appears she was a beloved teacher, by the posts on twitter.