LEONARD, Mich. (WXYZ) — A Livonia woman has been killed and three other people critically injured in a head-on crash on Rochester Road in Leonard, north of Oakland Township.
The two-vehicle crash happened just south of 32 Mile Road shortly before 2:00 p.m. First responders arrived on the scene within minutes. Officials say a 2011 Ford Edge was driving southbound on Rochester Road when it crossed the center line and hit a northbound 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee head-on.
"Our first arriving unit was one of our shift officers, advised he had four patients at that time. We called in mutual aid from Rochester Hills for additional ambulance and also mutual aid from Addison Township for another ambulance along with additional extrication equipment," said Chief Paul Strelchuk of the Oakland Township Fire Department. "So, along with all their help, we were able to get them extricated. Two were transported by ground ambulances, and one was transported by air, and unfortunately, we had one fatality pronounced here on the scene."
Officials with the Oakland County Sheriff's Department say the 66-year-old Livonia woman who was killed was a backseat passenger in the Jeep, which was driven by a Clarkston man. The 62-year-old and his 62-year-old wife were both injured in the crash and taken to the hospital. The man is currently in stable condition. His wife is in critical condition.
The Ford was driven by a 19-year-old Oakland Township man who was airlifted to the hospital and is currently in stable condition.
"I was upstairs, and I heard a big crash. It sounded like a dumpster that was crashing in," said Jennifer Osebold, who lives nearby. "I saw cars start turning around and my husband came up and said it was an accident, and it looks pretty bad."
The accident shut down Rochester Road between 32 Mile and Wynstone.
Officials say occupants of both vehicles were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, and alcohol does not appear to be a factor. They are still investigating why the Ford crossed the center line.
"Not that there is a good time for any of this, but it’s very unfortunate with the holidays. Our prayers go out to everybody and their families and everybody involved, and hope everybody else is okay," said Strelchuk.
