NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN STATE POLICE
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On Friday, January 19, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m. troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Cadillac Post were called to serious injury crash on M-55 Highway near S 35 RD in Cherry Grove Township. A 28-year-old woman from Indiana was taken to the hospital in critical condition after the snowmobile she was riding was struck by a Buick Enclave as she attempted to cross M-55.
Witnesses at the scene told troopers a group of snowmobilers were attempting to cross M-55. The lead rider looked both ways and saw a vehicle traveling eastbound at a normal rate of speed. The rider determined there was enough space and time for him to cross. The rider crossed M-55 onto S 35 RD. As he was turning around to see if the others made it across or waited for the vehicle to go by, he heard a crash. The driver of the vehicle, a 29-year-old man from West Branch, said he was traveling eastbound on M-55. He saw the woman on the snowmobile stop and then she pulled into the path of his vehicle. He was unable to avoid the collision.
The woman was unconscious and other motorists stopped to help. The woman did not have a pulse and there were signs of a possible head injury. The motorists stayed with her until EMS arrived.
Cherry Grove Fire and EMS responded to the scene. Deputies from the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the crash scene. The driver of the Buick Enclave submitted to a voluntary blood draw. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor at this time. The crash remains under investigation.
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