Clinton Township

Driver charged in fatal accident with motorcycles

By Nico Rubello
C & G Staff Writer

An SUV driver was arrested and charged with allegedly causing a three-car, three-motorcycle crash in Clinton Township that took the lives of two motorcyclists.

The crash occurred shortly before 11 p.m. on Aug. 17 near the intersection of southbound Gratiot and Metropolitan Parkway.

Police said a preliminary investigation revealed that the crash occurred when a pack of three motorcycles traveling south on Gratiot was rear-ended from behind by an SUV, which also was southbound.

One of the motorcycles catapulted into another southbound vehicle before going down. That vehicle then hit a minivan in another lane.

The second motorcyclist went down during the collision, and the third motorcyclist appeared to maintain control and stay upright, the statement added.

The deceased motorcyclists were identified only as a 58-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman, both from Roseville. Another motorcyclist was hospitalized.

Police believe alcohol may be a factor in a crash. As of Aug. 18, the SUV driver, an unidentified 45-year-old man, was charged with two felony counts of operating while impaired, causing death.

Police have urged any witnesses to the crash to call the Police Department at (586) 493-7901.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Nico Rubello at nrubello@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1118.