SANDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZMQ) – One person is dead following a construction zone crash in Sands Township.
On Monday, October 20, Marquette County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash in a construction zone on M-553. The call stated that a motor vehicle had struck an employee working in the construction zone, causing significant injury.
As deputies arrived on scene, the victim’s coworkers and bystanders were attempting lifesaving efforts. Deputies immediately began assisting. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver who struck them was transported to UPHS – Marquette for treatment.
An investigation determined that a passenger vehicle was heading southbound on M-553 when it left its lane of travel, sideswiping a Hooper construction vehicle parked on the shoulder. The vehicle continued southbound—still sideswiping the parked truck—and struck the worker, who was making sure the equipment was secured to a trailer that was being pulled by the truck. After striking the worker, the vehicle continued southbound and struck a second Hooper truck that appears to have been completely parked off the roadway.
M-553 was closed for several hours to allow law enforcement to investigate the incident, which remains under investigation. The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Michigan State Police, the Chocolay Township Police, the Marquette City Police, Northern Michigan University Police, the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, Sands Township Fire and EMS, Marquette Township Fire, UPHS EMS, the Marquette County Road Commission, and Marquette Detailing.
The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office reminds motorists to slow down and pay extra attention in construction zones.
