An 18-year-old driver from Commerce Township in a 2016 Jeep Wrangler, after passing several vehicles on westbound M-59/Highland Road, crossed over into oncoming traffic and hit an eastbound 2010 Chrysler 300 head-on near Mallard Pond Drive in Oceola Township at about 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7.
The driver of the Jeep had minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene. The people in the Chrysler 300 — a 23-year-old Howell woman, who was driving, and a 24-year-old Harrison woman — had to extricated from the vehicle by fire personnel. They were transported to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor by Livingston County EMS. The driver suffered life-threatening injuries and was in critical condition, while the passenger was in serious condition.
All of them were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
Alcohol use does not appear to be a contributing factor in the crash while speed maybe a contributing factor. The roadway remained closed for three hours for the investigation and clean up.
Deputies were assisted at the scene by personnel from Howell Area Fire Department and Livingston County EMS.
This incident remains under investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Bureau.
