Ann Arbor woman killed on M-14 after running into traffic at night
A 45-year-old Ann Arbor woman died Sunday night after running into traffic.
Michigan State Police said the crash occurred about 11 p.m. Aug. 2 on westbound M-14 near Wagner Road in Washtenaw County.
The preliminary investigation showed the woman was the passenger in a Ford Explorer driven by a 32-year-old Ann Arbor woman. Both women had left a restaurant after consuming alcohol and began arguing as they traveled home.
During the argument, the passenger demanded to get out and opened the door while the Explorer was still moving, according to police. The driver pulled onto the right shoulder, where the passenger got out and ran into the westbound lanes.
A westbound car driven by a 45-year-old Ann Arbor man struck the pedestrian. Police said the Jeep driver stopped but initially believed he had struck a deer.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The Jeep driver was not injured and was determined not to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, police said.
The Explorer driver checked on her friend, saw that she had died and drove away. Troopers later found the driver, who told investigators that she “panicked.”
Michigan no-fault benefits and wrongful-death claims after a pedestrian crash
Michigan no-fault benefits and a fault-based wrongful-death claim are separate. When a person is struck while outside a vehicle, MCL 500.3115 generally requires a personal injury protection claim to go through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan unless coverage applies through the person’s own policy, a spouse’s policy or a policy covering a resident relative. Michigan Legal Center’s guide to Michigan PIP medical bills and priority explains why household coverage and assigned claims must be reviewed before the responsible insurer can be identified.
Michigan’s wrongful-death statute, MCL 600.2922, permits a civil action when another person’s wrongful act, neglect or fault causes a death. The personal representative of the deceased person’s estate must bring the action. A civil claim remains separate from any criminal case, and a prosecutor’s charging decision does not by itself establish civil liability.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Michigan Legal Center handles Michigan car accident, no-fault and wrongful-death matters depending on the facts and available insurance coverage.
Contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether a fatal pedestrian crash, no-fault issue or wrongful-death matter is within Michigan Legal Center’s practice areas.
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Michigan Legal Center’s Michigan car accident claims page explains how no-fault benefits and a separate fault-based claim may arise from the same crash.