Portage, MI - Woman Killed in Pedestrian Crash on Willowcreek Rd

Portage, MI (December 3, 2023) - A 68-year-old woman has died after being struck by a vehicle in Portage, according to the Portage Police Department. At about 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, officers of the Portage Police Department responded to the area of Willowcreek Road north of Lexington Avenue in reference to a report of a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian.

Preliminary investigation shows that the pedestrian was crossing Willowcreek Road, traveling westbound approximately 50 feet north of the intersection. The involved vehicle was a 2006 Ford F-150 that was being driven by a 46-year-old Portage resident. The pickup truck had been traveling eastbound before making a left-hand, northbound turn onto Willowcreek Road. Shortly thereafter, the driver struck the pedestrian while she was walking in the inside lane of northbound Willowcreek Road. The driver remained at the scene and was cooperative with investigators. Police say that, at this time, there is no indication that drugs or alcohol played a factor in this collision, though an investigation is still ongoing.

We extend our sincere condolences to the deceased woman's family.

Pedestrian Deaths in Michigan

Officials say that the national and state rates of pedestrian accidents are rising. In fact, of the more than 2,300 pedestrians who were hurt in accidents in Michigan last year, nearly all of them sustained severe injuries. What's more, there were nearly 150 deaths caused by these incidents, down slightly from the year before but still tragically elevated over previous years.

Adding insult to injury, most pedestrian accidents occur because motorists are careless or reckless. The most prevalent causes of pedestrian accidents include but are not limited to the following:

• Intentional or careless speeding, especially in densely-populated urban areas.
• Driving through an intersection in a red light zone while pedestrians are present.
• Violating posted speed limits and other rules of the road.
• Excessive speed in residential areas, particularly in neighborhoods frequented by children.
• Backing out of private parking lots and driveways without checking for pedestrians.
• Making turns at crosswalks without checking for oncoming pedestrians.
• Distraction by mobile phones, radio dials, and other electronic devices.
• Reckless driving in hazardous circumstances (such as heavy rain or snow).
• Getting behind the wheel while impaired by drugs and alcohol or driving while fatigued.

Sadly, when pedestrians are hit by a car, they are at a significantly increased risk of severe injury and death. Vehicles, including SUVs, vans, and trucks, typically weigh over 4,000 pounds. Among the most typical injuries are:

• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Paralysis and quadriplegia from spinal cord damage and related injuries.
• Facial disfiguration and skull fractures.
• Multiple broken bones or fractures, nervous system injury, and death.

Thankfully, victims who sustain injuries in pedestrian accidents caused by another person's negligence may have legal recourse in the aftermath. At Christopher Trainor & Associates, our Portage pedestrian accident attorneys will fight for maximum compensation for clients who have been hurt due to the carelessness of others. Furthermore, we will help you organize the facts of your claim and gather the evidence you need to succeed under Michigan personal injury law. Call our office immediately by dialing 248-886-8650 to speak with an experienced, compassionate legal team member about your accident.

Note: Our firm utilized outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified the facts regarding this accident. If you find information that is incorrect, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates immediately so that we correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available about the accident. This post can be removed upon request.  

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. The photograph used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. This post is not a solicitation for business.