Two-vehicle crash claims life of Brown City man

Blowing snow and icy roads at time of crash

 

LAPEER CO. — Blowing and drifting snow, causing icy road conditions, are considered contributing factors in a fatal crash on M-53 late Monday afternoon.

Just before 5 p.m., Lapeer County 911 dispatched Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies to a report of an injury accident involving a commercial motor vehicle near the intersection of Van Dyke (M-53) and Wilcox in Brown City (Burnside Township- Lapeer County).

According to investigators, it appears 53-year-old Marion Mazurek of Brown City, the lone occupant, was traveling south on Van Dyke in his 2004 Mini Cooper.

Deputies noted there are open fields along that section of roadway and at the time of the crash, there was a significant west wind, causing the snow to blow across the roadway resulting in icy conditions.

Authorities say a 2005 International semi-tractor hauling a 2017 Wabash National enclosed 48-foot trailer (unloaded) was traveling north on Van Dyke, at the same time. The commercial vehicle was driven by a 64-year-old Warren man who was the lone occupant in the semitruck.

The driver of the commercial vehicle told investigators that a pickup truck traveling north in front of him appeared unstable when encountering the icy section of roadway.

The semi-driver lost stability when traveling this section of roadway. The commercial vehicle “jack knifed” and entered a counter-clock-wise rotation crossing into the southbound lane.

The commercial vehicle struck the Mini Cooper with both vehicles eventually coming to rest within the west ditch. Marion Mazurek was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Brown City Fire Department had to free Mazurek from the wreckage. The incident closed M-53 for over three hours. The Warren man was not injured.

Traffic was detoured around the crash scene and the highway was re-opened after responders spent three and a half hours with extrication, investigation and clean-up.

Investigators say preliminary investigation suggests that neither alcohol, drugs, or excessive speeds are contributing factors.

They said weather and roadway conditions appear contributing factors.

Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted at the scene by Imlay City Police Department, Brown City Fire Department, Metamora Township Police Department Drone Division, and the Lapeer County Reconstruction Team.

The fatal crash remains under investigation by Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies.