An 86-year-old man was killed and three of his relatives were left clinging to life last Saturday after a violent head-on collision on Lapeer Road near Greenshield Road in Orion Township. The two-car crash shut down the roadway for hours as deputies and fire crews worked the mangled scene and rushed victims to nearby hospitals. Family members riding in both vehicles suffered severe injuries, and investigators are now trying to determine how one car suddenly ended up barreling into oncoming traffic.
According to investigators, the collision happened when a northbound Ford Fiesta left the roadway, crossed the center median and slammed head-on into a southbound Lincoln MKX. The man who died was identified as Alfred Henry Young, 86, and the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office later took custody of his body. An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday, according to MLive. The Fiesta's driver, a 63-year-old Hazel Park man, was hospitalized in critical condition, and his 60-year-old wife was also listed in critical condition.
Crash Adds To Lapeer Road Safety Fears
Residents and first responders say sections of Lapeer Road near Greenshield have earned a troubling reputation, with multiple serious wrecks in recent years. Local coverage has highlighted several high-profile incidents along the corridor, including a 2023 crash where a dislodged road sign flew through a windshield and struck a driver, as reported by FOX 2 Detroit. That track record has sparked periodic reviews of traffic safety and roadwork from township and county officials who are under pressure to keep the busy route from turning into a permanent danger zone.
Investigators Reconstruct Violent Collision
Oakland County deputies said the crash remains under investigation, and no decisions have been made yet about citations or charges. Early on, police indicated that impairment and excessive speed did not appear to be factors. The county crash reconstruction unit was expected to comb through debris, skid marks and vehicle data from the scene, according to MLive. Detectives are asking anyone who saw the collision to contact the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.
As of last Saturday night, officials had not released any updates on the long-term condition of the hospitalized victims. The Medical Examiner's autopsy will determine Young's official cause and manner of death, authorities said. Anyone with information about the crash is urged to call the sheriff's office.
