By Staff
NILES - A rash of recent injury accidents in the Niles area - two of which proved fatal - are a cause of concern for Michigan State Police troopers here.
New Niles post commander, F/Lt. Michael A. Brown, said these accidents were preventable.
In a press release issued Tuesday afternoon, Brown detailed the recent Niles crashes.
State Police investigators concluded that on July 3 at U.S. 12 and Third Street, a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old female ran a red light, striking another vehicle broadsde and causing injury to both drivers.
On July 4, at Old U.S. 31 and Dean's Hill Road, a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old man pulled in front of a volunteer firefighter enroute to a call, causing serious injury to four people. Investigation showed the cause of the accident to be failure to yield to oncoming traffic.
On July 23 at U.S. 12 and M-51, a vehicle driven by a 28-year-old man, who was driving recklessly, lost control, crossed the median and hit another vehicle head on, causing serious injury to five people. Cause of the accident was determined to be reckless driving.
On Aug. 1 at East Bertrand and Ironwood, a vehicle driven by a 60-year-old male lost control, ran off the roadway and flips, cauisng serious injury to himself. Cause of the accident is determined to be careless driving.
On Aug. 7 at Redfield Road, a vehicle driven by a 20-year-old woman lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a tree, causing her death. Investigators determine the cause of the accident to be excessive speed.
On Aug. 8 at U.S. 12 and M-60, a vehicle driven by a 61-year-old man was struck broadside while making a left-hand turn, killing the backseat passenger. Investigators determined the cause of that accident to be failure to yield to oncoming traffic.
On Aug. 11, at M-51 and Pucker, a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old man was struck broadside while making a left-hand turn, causing serious injury to rear seat passengers. Investigators determined the cause of the accident to be failure to yield to oncoming traffic.
On Aug. 12 at Bell Road near South 15th Street, a vehicle driven by a 26-year-old man was attempting to pass in a no-passing zone when his vehicle left the roadway as a car approached, struck a telephone pole and a parked car, causing serious injuries to the driver. The driver had a child in his vehicle. Investigation determined the cause of the accident to be improper passing in a no-passing zone and excessive speed.
Troops encourage parents to talke to their chldren about safe driving and the need to be a defensive driver.
Young drivers are statistically proven to be more likely to be involved in a traffic accident. The recent wave of accidents illustrates the caution in which new drivers should apply to their daily driving habits.