Saginaw woman killed after Lexus crashes into Bay Road restaurant
A 65-year-old Saginaw woman was killed, and four other people were injured Tuesday when a Lexus crashed through the wall of a Saginaw Township restaurant.
The Saginaw Township Police Department said in a preliminary account that the crash happened at about 2:11 p.m. at Peter and Chia’s House, a Thai and Chinese restaurant at 3211 Bay Road north of Vogue Boulevard.
Police said a 2012 Lexus RX driven by an 87-year-old Bay City man left the driveway of Paint Bull Express Auto, drove northwest across every traffic lane on Bay Road, went over the west curb and continued through the restaurant’s parking lot.
The Lexus crashed through an exterior wall and came to rest inside the restaurant, striking two customers and a 48-year-old employee, police said.
Emergency responders performed lifesaving efforts, but the 65-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The other customer, a 62-year-old man, and the employee were removed from the wreckage and taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
The driver and his 83-year-old passenger were also hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The Saginaw County Traffic Crash Investigation Team assisted township police. The cause remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information may call Saginaw Township police at 989-793-2310.
Can people injured inside a Michigan building receive no-fault benefits?
Possibly. Michigan’s no-fault law permits personal protection insurance benefits for accidental bodily injuries arising from the use of a motor vehicle without regard to fault (MCL 500.3105 and MCL 500.3107).
Which insurer pays depends on the injured person’s insurance and household circumstances. MCL 500.3114(1) applies coverage held by the injured person, a spouse or a relative who lives in the same household. If someone is injured while not occupying a motor vehicle and no policy applies under that rule, MCL 500.3115 directs the claim to Michigan’s assigned claims plan.
Can a death support a claim against an at-fault driver?
Yes, if fault and the other legal requirements can be proven. MCL 500.3135 permits liability for noneconomic losses when an injured person dies, separate from a claim for no-fault benefits.
Michigan’s Wrongful Death Act allows recoverable damages including some medical, hospital, funeral and burial expenses, conscious pain and suffering, lost financial support and loss of society and companionship. A claim still requires evidence establishing liability and the damages allowed by law.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. The firm handles Michigan car accident, personal injury and wrongful death matters.
If you or a family member has questions after a vehicle crashes into a business, Contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether the matter is within the firm’s practice.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.
Learn more about Michigan car accident claims, Michigan PIP medical bills and priority and Michigan wrongful death deadlines.