Weekly Update on Accidents, Injuries and Wrongful Death January 6, 2014

Truck Accident in Davison, Michigan

I-69 bridge declared safe for travel after tanker explosion

DAVISON TOWNSHIP — Michigan Department of Transportation officials say the bridge where a tanker exploded Thursday is safe for travel. The accident happened along Interstate 69 at Irish Road in Davison Township.
http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=990342#.Usr9uvRDuSo

Michigan snowstorm: 5 driving tips to avoid accidents, ditches

DETROIT, MI- Despite snow removal crews across Michigan working diligently to clear streets, driving following a snowstorm can be dangerous, if not deadly. But there are things drivers can do prior to hopping behind the wheel and while driving to avoid causing an accident or being stuck in a ditch. http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2014/01/michigan_snowstorm_10_driving.html

Ask a Trooper: Keep Seat Belts On After an Accident

The following article was written by Michigan State Trooper Mike Sura, who answers questions about Michigan law in a weekly column. http://dearborn.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/ask-a-trooper-keep-seat-belts-on-after-an-accident-dearborn

1 dead in crash on I-94 near St. Joseph

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. (WOOD) – A fatal crash shut down a major highway in southwest Michigan for about two hours Tuesday morning. Around 5:30 a.m., a fatal accident occurred in the westbound lanes of I-94 near St. Joseph at mile marker 31, just past the I-196/I-94 merge. http://www.woodtv.com/news/local/sw-mich/2-fatal-accidents-in-sw-mich-overnight

Multiple traffic accidents being reported in Genesee County

FLINT — Snowy conditions are leading to multiple accidents in Genesee County, with both the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Genesee County 911 reporting traffic slowdowns and accidents. Most reported accidents are happening along expressways, with I-75 and I-69 having the bulk of the accidents. http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=989423#.Usr8e_RDuSo

Distracted texting, Facebook use blamed for car accidents — and walking off piers

Last March, a Michigan woman who was texting was rescued after she tripped and fell backward off a pier into Lake Michigan. Her husband and a bystander jumped in after her. They helped her stay afloat until emergency responders arrived a few minutes later. http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140106/NEWS/301079995/distracted-texting-facebook-use-blamed-for-car-accidents-8212-and

Motorcycle helmet debate keeps revving: Riders, businesses revel in choice in Michigan

Butch Ely likes riding his motorcycle without a helmet on local streets and state highways. It’s not because he enjoys the wind bustling through his hair. He doesn’t have the full head of hair he once had. It’s not because he wants to further risk his life while riding. He wears his helmet when riding on major expressways. It’s because, as of April 2012, he — rather than state law — makes that call. http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20131211/NEWS26/312110051/Motorcycle-helmet-debate-keeps-revving-Riders-businesses-revel-choice-Michigan

‘Too fast for conditions:’ I-75 closed 4 times this winter as drivers crash on snow and ice in Saginaw County

SAGINAW COUNTY, MI — Four times so far since the temperatures have dropped, ice and heavy snow have led to crashes that forced the closure of Interstate 75 in Saginaw County — and that’s more often than all of winter 2012-13. http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2014/01/too_fast_for_conditions_i-75_c.html

Passenger dies after SUV crashes off bridge into frozen Saginaw River on Christmas Day

SAGINAW, MI — The passenger of an SUV that crashed off a bridge and into the frozen water of the Saginaw River on Christmas Day has died, the Saginaw Police Department reports. Russell Nevitt, 31, of Saginaw, was pronounced dead at a Saginaw hospital after rescue workers pulled him from the SUV that had crashed into the ice and was partially submerged in the frozen water Wednesday, Dec. 25, Saginaw Police Department Lt. Robert Ruth said. http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/12/passenger_dies_after_car_crash.html