• December 14, 2022

Green Oak Township, MI — December 12, 2022, two people died in a head-on collision involving a semi-truck on U.S. Highway 23 in Green Oak Township.

Authorities say the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on US-23. Preliminary investigation suggests a northbound semi-truck crossed left of center into the oncoming lanes for unknown reasons, then crashed head-on with a southbound big rig, a pickup truck, and an SUV.

The drivers of the southbound semi-truck and the pickup truck died at the scene. The wrong-way driver was transported to an area hospital and is expected to survive. No other injuries were reported.

The investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time.

Commentary on Semi-Truck Crossover Crash in Green Oak Twp

If preliminary reports have their facts straight people may feel like fault is pretty clear here. A big rig crossed left of center and crashed into oncoming traffic; what else is there to say? Obviously the crossover driver and his employer will have little choice but to accept responsibility for the damage done and try to make things right...right?

I understand how that seems reasonable, but I've cautioned countless people over the years that commercial truck accidents are rarely that straightforward. It's the default position of just about every company to deny, dispute, and deflect liability as hard as it can. They argue with police findings, accuse the victims of inattention or not wearing seat belts, and send out their own investigators to find whatever they can use to redirect blame--just a few of the many tricks and tactics they use to protect themselves.

I don't say any of that from cynicism, but rather years of experience. In decades of working on commercial truck accidents I've encountered just one company that took responsibility with no foot-dragging or arm-twisting. All the rest refused to admit their employees did wrong without a long and difficult battle--one victims and families shouldn't have to face alone.