A Jackson truck accident that took the lives of two motorists is just one of a few Michigan semi-truck crashes that have had tragic consequences in the past two months. While authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the various accidents, at least one person involved in the Jackson truck accident is just thankful to be alive.
Two Dead in Jackson Truck Accident
November 1, 2016
Two people died in a chain-reaction crash that ultimately involved 10 vehicles on I-94 near the Dearing Road exit. The Jackson truck accident started with a semi-truck crashing into a Jeep, pushing the Jeep into a second semi-truck. The driver of the Jeep was taken to the hospital but had non-life-threatening injuries. The backlog of vehicles caused by that accident, however, resulted in a second crash, in which a big rig hit a car that then caught fire. The two people in the car died of their injuries and the truck driver was taken to hospital in critical condition.
Tiffani Ferrier and her three-year-old son, Rowan, were involved in the second part of the Jackson truck accident. Ferrier and her son were in her station wagon waiting for traffic to start moving again when her vehicle was struck by other vehicles that had been hit by the semi. The truck’s fuel tank burst in the accident, starting a fire that destroyed at least four vehicles.
Ferrier described being rescued by a stranger, who saved her and her son. “I was still stuck, the car was filling with smoke and I couldn’t see anything,” Ferrier told MLive. “I got my son free from his car seat, while he [the stranger] managed to get the passenger side door open. I told him to get my son out of there because I could smell gas fumes in the air and was afraid my car was going to blow.”
Ferrier managed to get her leg free and the stranger pulled her to safety through her side window. Both Ferrier and her son were treated for minor injuries.
The I-94 was closed in both directions while emergency crews responded to the scene. The eastbound lanes were open first, but westbound lanes remained closed while crews cleaned up and investigated the accident.
The Jackson truck accident is just one of multiple Michigan truck crashes that occurred in the past two months, some of which had devastating consequences.
Semi-Truck Accident Causes Massive Fire
November 21, 2016
No one was killed in a truck rollover, even though the accident resulted in a massive fire. On Monday, November 21, 2016, at 3:15 a.m. a semi-truck rolled over as it traveled on the I-196 exit in Casco Township. Driver Michael Bennett was reportedly pulled away from the wreckage by other drivers, although it is not known if he was thrown from the vehicle during the accident or managed to get himself out of the truck before the fire engulfed the vehicle. Bennett was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The truck was carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline at the time of the accident, which fueled the massive fire. Firefighters ultimately let the fire burn itself out, once they had determined no lives were at risk.
“Well over 1,000 degrees,” said South Haven Area Emergency Services Executive Director Ron Wise of the fire. “All the aluminum on the tanker itself was consumed in the fire.”
Investigators are looking into what caused the truck rollover, including whether speed was a factor and why the tractor stayed upright while the trailer flipped.
I-75 Truck Crash Kills Groom-To-Be
November 3, 2016
A groom-to-be who was also a former police officer was struck and killed on I-75 northbound just days before his wedding. Police indicated that Patrick Seamus Arthurs was northbound on I-75 near the Crooks Road overpass when his 2004 Cadillac broke down. Arthurs pulled over to the right shoulder and was standing outside his vehicle when he was struck by a Volvo 2007 tractor-trailer hauling cement powder.
According to reports, neither the lights nor the emergency flashers of the Cadillac were on when Arthurs was hit. Arthurs was taken to hospital but died from his injuries. The northbound right lanes of I-75 were closed for 2.5 hours following the accident. Police are investigating the accident.
Battle Creek Truck Accident Kills Man on Highway
October 30, 2016
On Sunday, October 30, 2016, Jared Carr stepped out of his vehicle, which was traveling westbound on I-94 in Battle Creek. Officials are not sure why Carr got out of his vehicle, but the 25-year-old was standing on the highway near mile marker 95 at around 7:00 p.m. and was hit by a semi-truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have asked for witnesses to come forward to help determine what happened. Traffic was detoured after the accident.