One Killed, Two Critically Injured in Oakland Township Head-On Crash
File photo: Public-domain 2022 USDA NAIP aerial imagery distributed by NOAA. Digitally cropped and color-adjusted; depicts the Rochester Road and Buell Road area, not the crash scene.
A 65-year-old Rochester Hills man died and two women were critically injured Friday morning in a head-on crash on Rochester Road in Oakland Township, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said.
The crash happened shortly after 5:45 a.m. near Buell Road. The preliminary investigation found that the man was driving a 2022 Ford Escape north when he crossed the center line and struck a southbound 2025 Subaru Outback head-on.
The Subaru driver, a 49-year-old Imlay City woman, and her passenger, a 56-year-old Almont woman, suffered severe injuries. Both were taken to a hospital and remained in critical condition when the crash was reported.
The Escape driver was wearing a seatbelt but died at the scene. Investigators do not believe a medical emergency caused the crash, and the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy. The cause of the lane departure remains under investigation.
Legal and Insurance Questions After This Crash
Michigan's No-Fault law provides qualifying Personal Injury Protection benefits without regard to who caused a crash. Depending on the policy and coverage selected, PIP may help pay for medical care, rehabilitation, wage loss, and replacement services. Our guide to who pays medical bills after a Michigan car accident explains how insurer priority can affect a claim.
A separate claim against an at-fault driver is different from a PIP claim. If the evidence confirms that one vehicle crossed the center line, the injured occupants may have a claim for losses not covered by PIP. MCL 500.3135 allows noneconomic-loss liability when a crash causes death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement. The available claim depends on the evidence, insurance coverage, and the effect of the injuries.
Get Help From Michigan Legal Center
If you or a family member was seriously injured in a Michigan crash, call Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650 or contact us for a free consultation.
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