Fatal Sebewaing Township Crash leaves one woman dead and her husband hospitalized after SUV collides with Mack truck; fatigue is suspected as the cause.

Emergency responders confront fatal wreck on Sebewaing Road

A press release issued this evening by the Huron County Sheriff confirmed a deadly two-vehicle collision Tuesday afternoon in Sebewaing Township, Huron County, that left a 77-year-old Bay Port woman dead and her husband hospitalized.

The crash occurred shortly after noon on Sebewaing Road, west of Gaeth Road. According to the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, a Chevrolet SUV driven by an 80-year-old man from Bay Port crossed into the path of an eastbound Mack garbage truck. Preliminary findings suggest the SUV driver may have fallen asleep.

Deputy Shea Woodke was among the first on scene. He removed the conscious driver from the wreckage but was unable to free the woman, who was trapped in the crushed SUV. Fire crews from Sebewaing later extricated her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Husband hospitalized after being airlifted from Scheurer Hospital

Scheurer Ambulance Service first took the 80-year-old husband to Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon before being airlifted to an out-of-county medical center for advanced treatment. His current condition has not been released.

The 65-year-old truck driver from Sebewaing escaped injury and was walking near the vehicle when deputies arrived. The Mack truck underwent a safety inspection by a Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Officer, while accident investigators documented the scene.

The road remained closed for about four hours. The Huron County Medical Examiner’s Office has ordered an autopsy of the deceased.

Community impact felt across Michigan’s Thumb region

Fatal crashes remain a pressing issue in rural Michigan. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning reports that driver fatigue contributes to hundreds of crashes each year across the state, particularly in agricultural and rural regions like Huron County. In 2023, Michigan recorded more than 40,000 traffic crashes involving older drivers, according to state crash statistics (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 2023.

The loss of life in Sebewaing Township underscores the heightened risks on two-lane roads in Michigan’s Thumb, where agricultural equipment, freight traffic, and fatigued driving converge. Local leaders have previously called for increased driver awareness and roadway safety initiatives in Huron County.

Sheriff emphasizes ongoing investigation into fatal Sebewaing Township crash

Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson said the investigation remains ongoing. While initial evidence points to driver fatigue, toxicology reports and the truck inspection will help determine conclusions. “We process every fatal crash with thoroughness to ensure families get answers,” Hanson said in the release.

Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant behind the wheel, particularly on extended drives through Michigan’s Thumb region, where long, flat stretches of road increase the risk of drowsy driving.

Broader context on Michigan roadway fatalities

Michigan recorded 1,095 traffic fatalities in 2023, a slight decrease from the prior year, according to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. While statewide numbers have improved, officials warn that rural counties like Huron remain vulnerable due to fewer resources and longer response times.

Advocates point to driver education, seatbelt use, and drowsy driving awareness campaigns as critical tools to prevent further loss. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that fatigue-related crashes cost the U.S. economy nearly $109 billion annually, excluding medical and property damage costs (NHTSA, 2023).

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