Two Michigan men hospitalized with serious injuries following a collision between a motorcycle and ATV in Forester Township.

Sanilac County Crash Investigation Ongoing After Major Traffic Collision

FORESTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A traffic crash involving a motorcycle and a four-wheeler in Sanilac County has left two men seriously injured, according to a statement released by the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office.

The collision occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, at the intersection of Forester Road and State Road in Forester Township, a rural area near the Lake Huron shoreline. Emergency response units from the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office, Port Sanilac Fire Department, and Sanilac EMS responded to the scene following a 911 call to Central Dispatch.

ATV Operator Failed to Yield at Rural Intersection

According to investigators, the incident was triggered when a 58-year-old Carsonville man, driving a Polaris Scrambler 4-wheeler southbound on State Road, failed to yield at the intersection and entered the path of a westbound 2008 Honda motorcycle operated by a 37-year-old Croswell man on Forester Road.

The motorcycle collided with the ATV, causing the 4-wheeler to be thrown into the southwest ditch while the motorcycle spun out and crashed on the pavement.

Authorities reported that both drivers suffered serious injuries and were transported by Sanilac EMS to McLaren Port Huron. Their names are being withheld pending further investigation.

Officials Urge Caution on Mixed-Vehicle Roadways

The incident highlights a growing concern in Michigan about traffic safety involving recreational off-road vehicles sharing roads with traditional motor vehicles.

According to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP), there has been a sharp increase in ATV-related crashes on public roads in recent years. According to the 2023 Michigan Traffic Crash Facts from the Office of Highway Safety Planning, there were:

413 ORV/ATVs involved in crashes on public roadways in 2023,
resulting in 22 fatal crashes,
and 291 ORV/ATVs were involved in 280 injury crashes, including serious injuries

Local law enforcement and safety advocates continue to stress the importance of yielding at intersections, following roadway signage, and observing local traffic laws, especially when operating recreational vehicles on roads not designed for them.

Michigan Law on ATV Road Use

In Michigan, local governments may allow ATVs and ORVs on specific roads by ordinance. However, operators must still comply with traffic laws, including speed limits and yielding right-of-way. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) notes that ATVs are not permitted on state highways, and operators must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license when riding on approved local roads Michigan DNR ORV Use Guidelines.

Sanilac County is among the many rural counties that permit limited ORV use on county roads, though operators must remain alert to cross traffic at major intersections such as the one involved in Tuesday’s crash.

Investigation Continues as Authorities Withhold Names

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office had not released the names of either individual involved, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. It remains unclear whether alcohol, speed, or mechanical failure played a role in the collision.

Officials have not indicated whether citations or charges are pending.

Anyone with additional information about the crash is encouraged to contact the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office.

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