Posted on Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 4:40 p.m.
US-23 shut down in both directions in Washtenaw County after accident
By Lee Higgins
This story has been updated
US-23 has been shut down in both directions after an accident about 4:15 p.m., Michigan State Police said.
The freeway is closed between Michigan Avenue in Pittsfield Township and Willis Road in York Township, dispatchers said.
No other details were available.
Google Maps traffic layer shows the approximate location of the crash and the extent of traffic backups. Traffic snapshot taken at 4:50 p.m.
Google Maps
Comments
Nan
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 2:04 a.m.
Angela We were out by the scene today, within minutes, close to home. No one was life flighted. 1 person left in ambulance (driver of Durango). Saw the LaBaron. Surprisingly, the Northbound lanes stayed open for a VERY long time. Not sure what could be seen from the open lane, but I certainly would have thought that with a fatality it would have been closed way sooner than it was. Southbound was actually closed first. The only helicopter was the one that took the footage that the news stations used. And yes, Carpenter was bumper to bumper for hours.
Ron
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 7:26 p.m.
I apologize to those that feel listing the vehicles is inappropriate, but at the same time, if I were concerned for family, a little "brace yourself heads up" would be better than nothing at all.. My thoughts and prayers to all involved. I was only a mile or so behind the accident when it happened. The first MSP trooper showed up about the time I was getting there. I'm interested in what the cause of the accident was. I was a bit bothered as the driver of one of the vehicles got out, walked up the enbankment and took a picture of his vehicle with his phone....
jcj
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 7:15 p.m.
I hope I did not come off as being too critical. And I share your hope that someone was able to be of comfort. I got a call at 3am when my father was killed in a car accident. There is no good way.
amccauley
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:58 p.m.
jcj, you have a good point and I know this is not the way I would want to find out about a loved one that has the same type of car that may have been involved in the accident. However, speaking from experience, there is no "good" way to be informed that a loved one was involved in a fatal or near fatal accident. I found out about my 10 year old son and my dad being in a near fatal accident by a wonderful women who witnessed the accident. She was able to get a phone number from my son and she stayed by his side until the EMS transported him to the nearest hospital while my dad was life flighted to Saginaw. The accident happened in Standish while our son was visiting his Papa for the weekend. My husband and I where 150 miles away at the time. I can only hope that those involved in this accident had someone just as caring stay with them while they waited to be rescued. Again, they are all in my thoughts and prayers, as are their families and loved ones.
Angela
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:50 p.m.
As far as I know, Carpenter Rd, from Stony Creek to Textile, is completely stopped right now. Willis is equally bad, as far as I could tell. I believe that someone was air flighted and that another individual was killed. My condolences to all families involved. Let us all drive safely out there. Another thing to note, when driving through intersections where an officer is directing traffic, please don't go when he is clearly telling you to stop. I just witnessed this and it nearly caused another accident at Carpenter and Willis.
Kelly
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:48 p.m.
No, this is not the place to notify next of kin. It is, however, the place for news journalists to write informative pieces that inform residents. This piece has not adequately covered this breaking local news. It has been 2.5 hours since the accident. I expect a local internet newspaper to provide me more information by now than to simpley tell me there is no new information.
amccauley
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:46 p.m.
Ron, thank you for giving us this information! My thoughts and prayers are with those involved in the accident and their families! I know from personal experience, not so long ago, what it's like to get that call and hear the words "life flight". I have finally heard from the last of my family members and am relieved they are not involved. This accident hits too close to home for me and again, they are in my thoughts and prayers.
jcj
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:42 p.m.
Releasing information about the vehicles is great for reasuring those whos loved ones wern't involved. But what about the person who happens to read this and figures out it was their grampa or brother? This is not the place to notify the next of kin.
Ron
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:36 p.m.
Teal colored Dodge Durango (1998-2003 body style), I saw that Driver out and Ok... Older Chevy truck, pre-1998 model, looked ok as well. Early 1990's Chrysler Lebaron Convertible (teal colored)...Not so good
jcj
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:34 p.m.
I uderstand the concern when there is an accident on a roadway a loved one travels. But as someone who has had the police come to the door with bad news. I would not want to get that type of news from a news report. If A2.com new more details I am glad they didn't release it.
Kelly
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:24 p.m.
How is it that WXYZ is able to have more information on a fatal accident that occurred in on Rt 23 just outside of Ann Arbor than annarbor.com? The accident was more than 2 hours ago.
amccauley
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:21 p.m.
Well, spoken, Kelly. I for one have family that travel that stretch of US-23 regularly and I haven't been able to contact two of those family members and I am quite worried. When can we have answers to these questions? I almost lost my youngest son and my dad in a near fatal accident on October 17, 2009. My dad is one of the people I am unable to get in touch with at this time. Can someone at least tell us what type of automobiles were involved in the accident?
Kelly
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:14 p.m.
The staff have decided that they would like the story to not be distracted by posts regarding copy editing. This is very noble. I agree that I prefer the writing to not interfere with the seriousness of the story. How many injuries were sustained? Has anyone been life flighted? Is there a need for folks to donate blood? Was the weather a factor? Are alternate routes also becoming tangled or dangerous? It is much better to focus on these questions than the grammar of the piece. Unfortunately, the reporters are spending their time doing copy editing instead of finding answers Ann Arbor residents need.
Rom
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:10 p.m.
WXYZ reporting it as a fatal accident involving one confirmed dead with 4 other injured. Car crossed the median and hit another car head on.
jcj
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:09 p.m.
I certainly have ne information on this accident. However it seems the roadways are shut down every other day. I suspect mostly due to speed. Hard to believe this piece of news. 3-12-10 The Department of Transportation reports overall traffic fatalities at the end of last year fell to their lowest level since 1954.
Chrysta Cherrie
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 6:06 p.m.
Several comments were removed from this thread for being off topic, specifically for discussing copy editing rather than the status of US-23. If you'd like to discuss copy editing or any other topic not related to an AnnArbor.com story, you are welcome to submit a story via the Community Wall: http://www.annarbor.com/community/
Chrysta Cherrie
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 : 5:59 p.m.
Both the story and Ed's first comment were edited to correct typos.