An Indiana woman is fighting for her life in a Michigan hospital following a harrowing snowmobile crash last week. According to FOX 2 Detroit, the 28-year-old was part of a group riding near M-55 in Wexford County when she attempted to cross the highway and was struck by an SUV.
Witness statements collected by Michigan State Police describe the sequence of events leading to the collision; the lead rider assessed the situation, gauging the speed of an eastbound Buick Enclave and deciding there was enough time for the group to cross, unaware of the tragic outcome this decision would beckon. He saw a vehicle traveling east at a normal rate of speed and he was determined there was enough space and time for him to cross. After crossing successfully, he turned to check on his companions only to witness the ensuing accident "heard a crash because one of the riders was hit by a Buick Enclave" as reported by MLive.
The driver of the SUV, a 29-year-old man from West Branch, has been cooperating with authorities. He recounted that the snowmobiler appeared to stop before abruptly entering the path of his vehicle, leaving him with no time to prevent the collision, the victim had stopped the snowmobile at first but then pulled right into his path, according to ClickOnDetroit. Drugs and alcohol were not believed to have played a part in the accident, confirmed by the driver's voluntary blood draw.
Good Samaritans on the scene provided first aid until emergency services arrived; the woman was found without a pulse and showing signs of a severe head injury upon police and EMS arrival thus transported to a hospital in a critical state, sources have stated that people stopped to help the woman, "who reportedly did not have a pulse and was showing signs of a head injury," and the driver has submitted to a blood draw but police do not believe drugs or alcohol was a factor in the crash. The investigation into the devastating incident remains ongoing.
