Thanksgiving Day crash claims life of five-year old

Holiday traffic; first snowfall keeps agencies busy

 

TRI-CITY AREA — The Thanksgiving weekend, coupled with the area’s first significant snowfall, kept multiple agencies busy responding to calls for assistance.

Depending on your location, the area received several inches of wet, slushy snow Saturday evening into early Sunday morning.

The winter weather left many roadways slippery and caused headaches for motorists.

In Almont, emergency responders handled a crash at the intersection of Van Dyke (M-53) and Tubspring Rd. late Saturday afternoon.

The roadway was closed in both directions between McDonald’s and Tubspring Road for several hours to allow for extrication and investigation of the incident.

No further information on the crash was made available as of press time.

Earlier in the holiday weekend, on November 27, Macomb County Dispatch Center received multiple calls of a two-vehicle crash on M-53 Hwy. (Van Dyke Ave.) and Ebeling Road in Bruce Township, south of Almont.

Michigan State Police Troopers were dispatched to the location shortly before 5:30 p.m.

According to authortities, Troopers located a head-on crash where three occupants were trapped in one vehicle and another victim in the second vehicle.

Bruce Township Fire was on scene, with the fire station being within eye sight of the crash, and were able to free all victims from the wreckage.

According to F/Lt. Mike Shaw of MSP, “the driver of a 2011 Chevy Impala was headed southbound on M-53 with his two-year-old son and five-year-old daughter. The driver of a 2013 Chevy Impala was driving northbound on M-53 behind her boyfriend, who was in a third vehicle.”

Lt. Shaw reported, “The driver of the 2011 Chevy crossed over in the northbound lanes and struck the 2013 Chevy head on. There was no evidence of braking before impact. The boyfriend was able to swerve out of the way prior to the crash and was not struck.”

The investigation showed the 18-year old driver (from Davison) of the 2013 Chevy was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.

The driver of the 2011 Chevy was transported to a local hospital, also with life threatening injuries.

The two-year old boy in the 2011 Chevy was transported to a local hospital and then transferred to Children’s Hospital with life threatening injuries. A five-year old girl was pronounced dead on scene.

The roadway was closed for the investigation and family has been notified of the crash.

Metro North troopers continue to investigate the crash, according to Lt. Shaw.

He commented, “We do know that neither child was properly restrained and only one car seat was in the vehicle. What we don’t know is why the at fault driver crossed over into the on coming lanes.”

A blood draw was taken as part of the investigation.

Lt. Shaw stated, “It is particularly heartbreaking when a preventable crash occurs on a holiday. It is even worse when a child loses their life. Please make sure to wear your seatbelt and that your children are properly restrained every trip

MONDAY UPDATE:

MSP says the two-year old that was critically injured is expected to survive. Investigators also say alcohol may been a factor in the crash.

Troopers are waiting on medical examiner reports, lab results and further interviews before submitting an investigative report to the prosecutors office” to see if any charges will be filed.