Sterling Heights

Medical condition may have triggered Van Dyke crash

By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

Police believe a medical condition may have caused a 29-year-old man to cross the median and collide with a tractor-trailer on Van Dyke the morning of Oct. 4.

According to Lt. Luke Riley of the Sterling Heights Police Department, the Sterling Heights resident was traveling in a Ford minivan on southbound Van Dyke, just south of 17 Mile, when the crash occurred.

“He left the roadway, entered the median and struck about a 10-inch tree,” said Riley. “He continued on into northbound traffic and struck a tractor-trailer that was slowed for a red light, causing additional damage to the van and to the tractor-trailer.”

The van’s driver suffered serious head injuries and was transported to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township for treatment, said Riley. The tractor-trailer driver, a 29-year-old Rochester man, complained of back pain, but declined to be taken to the hospital, he added.

At press time, the crash was still under investigation, and northbound Van Dyke was shut down for a few hours to accommodate analysis of the scene.

“Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor; however, a medical condition, maybe,” said Riley.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1046.