A traffic crash involving a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and semi-truck has forced the closure of a stretch of the southbound lanes of the U.S.-131 expressway south of the Martin Exit, No. 55.
Authorities have indicated the crash occurred at about 8:15 p.m. Friday near 116th Avenue in Martin Township when the SUV rear-ended the semi. They also said the driver of the SUV was reported to be unresponsive and the his vehicle may have caught fire. There also were unconfirmed reports the driver of the SUV was pinned under the semi.
Allegan County Sheriff’s authorities indicated the driver of the SUV had been driving erratically, but there was no evidence yet that alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident. The driver was taken to a hospital for serious injuries, but is expected to recover.
The suspect blue Dodge Durango left the scene. Shortly after, Allegan County Central Dispatch received another call that the Durango collided with a semi-tractor trailer. The Durango was lodged under the trailer and the driver had to be extricated.
Witnesses from the scene described the driver of the Dodge Durango driving erratic and reckless prior to the motor vehicle crashes. The driver of the Dodge Durango received serious but non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a Kalamazoo area hospital.
Nobody else involved in the motor vehicle crashes were injured. The expressway had to be shut down for a significant amount of time while first responders worked the scene.
The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Martin Fire/Rescue, Wayland EMS, and the Michigan State Police