Davison Twp. – For seven years it’s been Chrys Tangney’s morning ritual to look across her neighborhood. Last weekend, she averted her gaze from the Doyon home across the street.
Pamela Doyon, 37, and son Sam, who would have celebrated his first birthday this week, died in an M-15 accident Good Friday. Also killed was Pamela’s mother, Sandra Thrasher, 62, of Orion Township. Max Doyon, 2, was transported to Hurley Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.
‘I try not to look over there; it’s too hard,? said Tangney. ‘Pam was always out in her yard doing gardening, always taking the kids for a walk.?
The Doyons were frequently together, walking their dog or riding bikes, says Tangney, picturing Sam toddling down the sidewalk as Pam held both of his hands, or crawling after a ball thrown by his big brother Max.
‘They made sure the kids were involved with everything going on,? said Tangney, wiping her eyes. ‘We will definitely miss them.?
Tricycles and bicycles dot the sidewalks lining the peaceful neighborhood. The first couple to move into the Hillcrest Farms subdivision, the Doyon family was among the volunteers who helped with the community playground. Pam, an avid gardener, had been nominated for neighborhood beautification.
Neighbors took flowers to the site of the accident to say a prayer for Max and the family.
‘It’s such a devastating loss,? said neighbor Greg Palmer. ‘They’re such good, good people. They were so proud of their kids. Their house is filled with photos.?
Pam had a devout faith and was active in their church, said Palmer. She also participated in neighborhood Bible studies with friend Lyn Grose.
Grose’s son Brent, 12, is one of many neighborhood children who felt welcome playing in the Doyon yard.
‘He just loved those little boys,? said Grose, recalling how gleefully they watched balloons pop.
‘Pam’s laugh was just so beautiful,’said Grose.’She was a loving, devoted mother and a warm person.?
Sandra Robinson, church secretary at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Burton, recalls Pam coming through the door Sunday mornings, arms full, to help with the church coffee hour.
As director of the church Board of Education, Pam helped with Vacation Bible School and Sunday School.
‘We just had an Easter egg hunt, and 80 children came out. She was so excited about that,? said Robinson. ‘She always had a smile on her face. She was just a very sweet girl, somebody who is really going to be missed. They were part of our church family.?
The family was close to Thrasher, say neighbors, who frequently saw the grandparents in the neighborhood.
The Doyons? white Chevrolet Venture was northbound on M-15, north of Bristol Road at approximately 10:29 a.m. April 9, when it was hit by a Ken’s Redi-Mix concrete truck, driven by Matthew Woods of Grand Blanc, 34. The southbound concrete mixer truck, partially loaded with concrete, tried to stop behind a pickup truck turning left into a driveway, when it skidded left into the minivan.
Davison Township Police Department arrived on the scene at 10:35 a.m. The 2001 Oshkosh concrete mixer truck is being inspected by the Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division, said Chief Larry Hrinik of the Davison Township Police Department. Inspection results are not yet available. Although police have not determined the speed the vehicles were traveling, Woods indicated he was driving below the posted 55 mph speed limit, said Hrinik.
Police originally sought the driver of the pickup truck that caused Woods to brake. The driver, a Davison Township resident in his 60s, witnessed the accident in his rear-view mirror, said Hrinik, and continued driving south to attempt to turn around, but was unable to get back to the scene due to traffic congestion. After hearing media reports, the pickup driver contacted Davison Township police, who found no equipment malfunctions on his truck, said Hrinik.
Although the motion of liquid concrete presents an additional driving challenge, concrete drivers are well trained, says Bernie Cawley of the Michigan Concrete Association.
The drivers are required to start with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
‘Every ready-mix concrete company has their own training program on top of CDL licensing,? said Cawley, who defended concrete drivers, citing a report concluding that truck drivers are less often at fault in truck-vehicle accidents.
‘But regardless of whose fault it is, it’s still a tragedy,? Cawley said.
Ken’s Redi-Mix owner Brad Brigham was out of town and could not be reached for comment.
?(Brigham) runs a quality company,? said Cawley. ‘He’s not only on my board of directors but also on the executive committee. He’s very well respected in this industry.?
According to a 2002 Michigan Department of Transportation traffic volume map, an average of 13,300 to 27,600 vehicles travel M-15 daily between the Goodrich and Davison areas.
‘It’s a death road. We need to get a middle lane,? said Grose, who saw the accident on her way out of town Friday. ‘My heart goes out to the (truck) driver. Everyone involved is in our prayers.?
MDOT and M-15 community leaders have been eyeing widening M-15 to five lanes. A short-term project to add only a center lane wouldn’t be approved, as it couldn’t accomodate projected traffic loads, said Bill Shreck, MDOT Bay Region Communications Representative.
Palmer, a Keego Harbor police officer, plans to become a spokesperson for M-15 accident reduction measures.
The Doyon family tragedy follows two other serious M-15 accidents involving neighborhood residents, including Palmer’s son Mike, who sustained a head injury in 2002. A fatality two years ago also involved a subdivision resident, said Palmer, who wants to investigate grant funding to boost speed enforcement.
‘The sheriff’s department has done a fine job out here trying to enforce the speed limits, but it’s like a needle in a haystack,? he said.
‘I bring my police motorcycle home in the summertime. I’ve been behind people doing 80 (mph) who couldn’t care less. It’s going to cause more deaths out here.?
Shreck agrees that speed is an issue on M-15, a well-traveled commuter route. Changing the speed limit won’t make it safer, he said.
‘Lowering the speed limit tends to make it more dangerous. People take more chances to pass.?
M-15 safety is comparable with other state roads, said Shreck, with intersections located inside the Davison city limits being the worst.
‘M-15 is a major corridor to Oakland County,? said Detective Lt. Chris Swanson, commander of the Genesee County Sherriff’s Detective Bureau.
Swanson cautions drivers to consider motorists behind them when stopping or turning, and advises slowing down. Traveling 55 mph is the equivalent of 30 yards per second, said Swanson. It takes two seconds—nearly 60 yards of roadway–from the time a motorist sees a situation before being able to react.
A funeral service was planned for April 17 at the Clarkston United Methodist Church at 6600 Waldon Road, with the Rev. Dan Wonderly officiating.
Contributions can be made to Rob Doyon, and sent in care of the Hillcrest Farms Association, P.O. Box 136, Goodrich, Mich., 48438.