One driver seriously hurt; another suffers minor injuries in U.S. 23 crash

By Cindy Heflin Associate news director

Posted on Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 11:47 a.m.

A woman was seriously injured and another person suffered minor injuries in a crash on northbound U.S. 23 near Interstate 94 Tuesday morning, Pittsfield Township firefighters said.

Firefighters removed the roof and door of this car to free the driver after a crash on U.S. 23 Tuesday morning.

Photo courtesy of Joseph Waliga

The woman, who was driving a Honda Civic, was trapped in the driver’s seat after the crash shortly after 7:30 a.m. on the highway near Interstate 94. Firefighters used hydraulic rescue tools and saws to free the woman from the wreckage.

Michigan State Police closed U.S. 23 in both directions to allow a Survival Flight helicopter to land on the freeway in case it was needed. After the driver was freed, Huron Valley Ambulance paramedics took her to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Superior Township, and rescuers cancelled the call for the helicopter.

HVA took the driver of a second vehicle to the University of Michigan Hospital with minor injuries, firefighters said. Ann Arbor firefighters also assisted at the crash scene.

It’s not yet clear what caused the crash, firefighters said, but witnesses reported the Honda left the southbound lanes of US 23, crossed the median and slammed into the cement wall. Michigan State Police are investigating.

The crash caused a lengthy backup on the freeway.

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