A Tuscola County Sheriff's deputy was hospitalized Sunday following a crash that occurred during a traffic stop in Elkland Township. Deputy Kyle Bischer was in his patrol SUV on M-81 near Crane Road at about 5:45 p.m. when another vehicle, driven by an 18-year-old man, swerved out of control and struck his vehicle. According to ABC12, the deputy was on the shoulder of the roadway with his emergency lights on at the time of the incident.
As reported by Midland Daily News, the accident took place in conditions where blowing and drifting snow affected visibility and road stability. The deputy had been investigating a previous traffic crash when the 18-year-old driver from Reese lost control after hitting a patch of slush. He crossed the centerline and collided with the driver's side of Bischer's patrol vehicle.
Bischer was treated at an area hospital for minor injuries sustained in the collision. The other driver was reportedly unharmed but was taken into custody following the crash. In a statement obtained by WNEM, the Michigan State Police have launched an investigation into what caused the driver to lose control and are handling the arrangements for the suspect's arraignment set for Monday.
This marks the second such incident within a month where an officer of the Tuscola County law enforcement has been hurt in the line of duty due to a vehicular accident. The unnamed deputy involved in the earlier altercation with an alleged drunk driver continues on his road to recovery from more serious injuries. Meanwhile, officials urge drivers to exercise extreme caution on roads that remain treacherous as winter's grip lingers with unpredictable fury.
