Woman, 25, dies in crash on Van Dyke Avenue

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — According to a press release from the Shelby Township Police Department, a fatal traffic crash occurred just before 11 p.m. Aug. 18 in the area of Van Dyke Avenue and Elizabeth Ann Road.

Police and firefighters dispatched at 10:56 p.m. found a blue Chevy Tahoe with heavy damage to its front and passenger side facing south in the northbound lanes of Van Dyke, the release states. A blue Dodge Challenger with heavy front-end damage was in a parking lot facing south, police said.

A 25-year-old woman who had been a passenger in the Tahoe was lying in the middle of the northbound lanes of Van Dyke, according to the press release. Police said that both officers and fire personnel attempted lifesaving efforts, but the woman died from her injuries at the scene.

Emergency personnel had to remove the 26-year-old driver and 27-year-old passenger of the Challenger, according to the release. EMS transported both women to Troy Beaumont Hospital for their injuries.

Police also stated that the 43-year-old woman who had been driving the Tahoe had to be removed from the vehicle and transported to the hospital in Troy for treatment of her injuries.

Police shut down Van Dyke Avenue for several hours between 21 Mile Road and Russell Avenue for the investigation.

“Speed and alcohol appear to be a contributing factor in this crash. However, this case is still under investigation,” the press release states.

“Our Traffic Bureau is in the process of reconstructing the crash, and we are awaiting the results of toxicology tests, at which point we will present our findings to the Macomb County Prosecutors Office for review of possible charges,” Shelby Township Police Sgt. Mark Benedettini said in an email.

Police ask anyone who might have witnessed the crash or who has information about it to contact Detective Jordan Haughee at (586) 731-2121, ext. 333.