FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH ON 1-69 IN ATTICA, Ml

 

 

LAPEER COUNTY, Ml: Tuesday August 26, 2025:    At 2 PM, Lapeer County Central Dispatch dispatched Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies to an injury traffic collision upon eastbound 1-69 near the Winslow Road overpass in Attica (Lapeer County’s Attica Township).

Deputies determined that 41-year-old Curtis Willis from Clarkston, Ml was the driver of a

2018 GMC Savana van.   Willis was alone in his vehicle and traveling west on 1-69.  Willis’ vehicle gradually transferred from the westbound lanes into the grassy median without signs of stability loss.   The vehicle drives through the median and enters the eastbound lanes of traffic without any apparent driver’s response.

While within the eastbound lanes, Willis’ van is struck “broadside” by a 2012 GMC Sierra pickup truck.   Willis’ van continues  traveling southwest and departs the south side of the expressway encountering a steep negative embankment.  The vehicle rolls multiples times down the embankment before coming to rest on its’ driver side within a wooded area.  Willis was not wearing a seat belt (remained within vehicle) and pronounced deceased at the scene.

The 71-year-old Kinde man driving the 2012 GMC Sierra was not injured and declined medical treatment at the scene (additionally- two passengers- males ages 70 and 72 declined medical treatment at the scene).

Due to investigation and vehicle removal, eastbound 1-69 was closed for approximately three hours (reopened just after 5 PM}.

Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted at the scene by Michigan State Police (Lapeer Post), Department of Natural Resources, Attica Township Fire and Rescue, Imlay City Fire and Rescue, Lapeer County EMS, and the Lapeer County Road Commission.

The Lapeer County Reconstruction Team responded to perform an analysis of this collision. Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office is performing an autopsy.  Preliminary, neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected.  Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies are continuing to investigate this fatal traffic collision.