IC police cruiser struck while investigating another accident
IMLAY CITY — An Imlay City police department officer was investigating an unrelated, two vehicle traffic crash at the intersection of Cedar Street (M-53) north of Newark Road in Imlay City around 10 p.m. Friday night, near the old Shopko store, when his police vehicle was involved in a second, unrelated accident.
Imlay City Police Chief Brett Selby said the vehicle involved in the first traffic crash was disabled and located within one of the northbound lanes.
An Imlay City police department patrol unit was struck by a motorcycle Friday evening, leaving a motorcyclist injured.
The Imlay City officer positioned their cruiser south of that vehicle, within the traffic lane.
Chief Selby said the patrol unit had it’s emergency lights (overhead and additional flashing lights) activated and no one else was in the unit, due to officers investigating the original incident.
Meanwhile, a northbound 2009 Harley Davidson operated by a 27-year old Pigeon man approached the stopped patrol cruiser. According to the police report, there was braking prior to the motorcyclist striking the back passenger corner of the police cruiser.
The motorcycle and rider subsequently came to rest on the east side of the roadway.
The Pigeon man was transferred to McLaren Lapeer Region by Lapeer County EMS with severe injuries and was hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Chief Selby said that due to his department’s involvement in the second crash, the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Department has taken over the investigation between the motorcycle and patrol cruiser.
Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted at the scene by Imlay City Police Department, Imlay City Fire Department, Almont Police Department, and the Lapeer County Reconstruction Team.
The roadway was closed for approximately two and a half hours for rescue and investigating purposes.
Deputies are continuing to investigate if either alcohol or excessive speeds are involved in this traffic collision.
Anyone with information can contact Lapeer County Sheriff Department Detective Sgt. Jason Parks at either 810-656-1015 or jparks@lapeercounty.org.
Motorcycle-pickup collision claims life of Imlay woman
IMLAY CITY — The area of Cedar Street (M-53) between Newark Road and First Street continues to be an issue for the Imlay City Police Department when responding to traffic incidents.
Last weekend, officers responded to two serious crashes within 24 hours, including one that claimed the life of an Imlay City female motorcyclist during the Memorial holiday weekend.
According to information provided by Police Chief Brett Selby, the Imlay City couple were riding their motorcycles shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday traveling north on Cedar Street (M-53) in the lane nearest the center-turn lane.
Chief Selby said both motorcycles approached the south drive to the Kroger lot entrance where traffic was beginning to back up.
Investigators say one of the motorcycles was a traditional two-wheeled motorcycle while the other was a Can-Am Spyder (trike, three- wheeled motorcycle).
Just prior to the fatal crash, Chief Selby reported several vehicles were in the right-most north bound lane of Cedar getting ready to turn right into Kroger at the south entrance.
At the same time, a black F-150 was turning left from the Kroger lot onto south bound Cedar.
Investigators say the female driver of the F-150 did not see the motorcycles heading north bound in the left lane and as a result, the trike struck the driver’s side cab and box side of the F-150 pickup truck.
The female driver of the trike was wearing a helmet at the time of the impact. However, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her husband was transported to the McLaren Lapeer emergency room with a broken leg and ribs.
The female of the F-150 was also transported to McLaren Lapeer with possible injuries.
Imlay City police and fire departments and Lapeer EMS were among those responding to the fatal crash.
Chief Selby pointed out this is the second serious crash in less than 24 hours between Newark and Borland Road on M-53 in Imlay City.
City officials and the police department have been adamant in their pleas with the Michigan Department of Transportation to have a stoplight installed at the intersection of Cedar Street (M-53) and Borland.
However, MDOT has refused to do so, saying not enough criteria has been met to merit the installation of the light.
The investigation is ongoing.
