42-year-old critically injured in Leroy Township crash involving 14-year-old driver
A 42-year-old Athens man was critically injured and three teenagers were hospitalized after a two-vehicle crash early Friday in Calhoun County’s Leroy Township.
Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers from the Marshall Post responded at about 12:25 a.m. July 31 to the intersection of M-66 and B Drive South.
According to MSP’s preliminary investigation, a Kia Soul was traveling south on M-66 and had the right of way when an eastbound Ford Explorer disregarded a flashing red traffic signal on B Drive South and struck the Kia.
Callers reported that the Kia was on fire and people in the Explorer were trapped. Troopers and an unidentified good samaritan pulled the Kia driver from the burning vehicle.
The Athens man was unconscious but breathing and had a pulse. He sustained multiple critical head injuries and was taken to Bronson Kalamazoo Hospital. MSP said it appeared that he was not wearing a seat belt.
The Explorer was driven by an unlicensed 14-year-old boy from Battle Creek. Witnesses reported that five male juveniles were in the vehicle and two ran away before first responders arrived.
Troopers used a drone to search the area but did not locate the two boys. Their identities remained unknown Friday.
The three boys who remained at the scene were from the Battle Creek area and ranged in age from 14 to 15. All three were taken to Bronson Kalamazoo Hospital with injuries that included broken ankles and legs and fractured pelvic bones.
MSP said alcohol was not believed to be a factor, but marijuana use was suspected. The release did not connect the marijuana suspicion to a specific occupant or identify any test result. Seat belt use by the Explorer’s occupants was unknown.
MSP also asked the public to help identify the Good Samaritan. Anyone with information can call the Marshall Post at 269-558-0500, the number listed on the Michigan State Police Fifth District page.
Michigan no-fault benefits and passenger injury claims
Michigan law separates no-fault benefits from a fault-based injury claim. Under MCL 500.3105, personal protection insurance (PIP) benefits may cover accidental bodily injuries from auto accidents and are payable without regard to fault.
A separate third-party claim focuses on legal responsibility for the crash. MCL 500.3135 allows noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, only when the injured person suffered death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement. Whether an injury satisfies that standard requires a fact-specific review.
For a closer look at the two claim paths, Michigan Legal Center’s overview of passenger injury claims after a Michigan car accident explains why PIP priority and fault-based claims are separate questions.
What does suspected marijuana use mean under Michigan law?
It means investigators can examine possible impairment, but suspicion alone does not establish that a driver violated the law.
MCL 257.625 prohibits a person, whether licensed or not, from driving while under the influence of a controlled substance or when substance use visibly impairs the person’s ability to operate a vehicle.
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Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Michigan Legal Center handles car accident, no-fault and personal injury matters across Michigan.
Contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether a Michigan motor vehicle crash matter is within its practice areas.
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Michigan Legal Center’s overview of Michigan car accident claims explains how no-fault benefits and fault-based claims may proceed separately.