Oxford firefighters had to cut the roof and doors off a car Aug. 15 in order to free a seriously injured crash victim.
The victim, a 65-year-old Marlette woman, was transported by an AMR ambulance to Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s report, the Marlette woman was heading east on Oakwood Road through the M-24 intersection when the driver’s side door of her 2001 Buick was struck by a southbound 1994 Ford F-150 pickup truck.
The truck was driven by a 49-year-old Oxford man, who was reportedly not injured in the crash.
It appears the Marlette woman drove right out in front of the truck, which had the right of way, the report stated.
It took firefighters 17 minutes to free the trapped Marlette woman, according to Fire Chief Jack LeRoy.
Deputies issued her a citation for failing to yield.
LeRoy said a ‘functioning traffic signal? is needed at that intersection.
‘Over the years? there have been ‘more bad accidents? at Oakwood and M-24 ‘than any place else we’ve got right now,? the chief said.
Currently, the intersection is governed by a traffic light which flashes red for east and westbound traffic on Oakwood Road. It flashes yellow for north and southbound traffic on M-24, which always has the right of way.
Left-turns off Oakwood Road and onto M-24 are not permitted at the intersection.
Drivers on Oakwood are only allowed to go straight through when the traffic flow on M-24 permits.
‘Part of the problem is people misjudge the closing speed of the vehicle coming at them,? LeRoy said. ‘They’re moving a lot faster than what they appear to be.?
‘Even if it’s (posted) 55 (miles per hour), you’ve got people doing 70 (mph) through there,? the chief explained.
LeRoy said it appears the traffic volume through the intersection is great enough to warrant a functioning signal.
‘It seems to me that back when they put the first traffic signal at Drahner and M-24, it didn’t have as much traffic volume as what Oakwood and M-24 does today,? LeRoy noted.
Even though ‘we get a lot of accidents? at Drahner and M-24, the chief said the vehicles involved are ‘moving a little slower.?
‘Up there (at Oakwood and M-24), they’re going faster,? LeRoy said. ‘It’s time they look at doing something.?