A two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and University Drive turned deadly last night, leaving a 50-year-old Waterford Township man dead and a 25-year-old woman in critical condition. Authorities said the crash, involving a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Chevy HHR, happened around 8 p.m.
Victims and vehicles
According to Mid‑Michigan NOW, citing the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the HHR driver was identified as Nahum Ponce Quevedo. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. His passenger, a 25-year-old Waterford woman, was listed in critical condition.
The driver of the Jeep, a 55-year-old man, was reported to have been wearing a seat belt and was not injured. Deputies told Mid‑Michigan NOW that the occupants of the HHR were not wearing seat belts.
Seat belts and crash outcomes
According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, when restraint use was known in 2024, 38.8% of people killed were not wearing seat belts. The report also cites an observational statewide belt-use rate near 92%.
The Michigan State Police notes that drivers and front-seat passengers are required to wear safety belts and that failure to buckle up is a primary offense.
Investigation ongoing
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office told Mid‑Michigan NOW that investigators have not yet determined which vehicle improperly entered the intersection. Deputies say the investigation remains active and that more information will be released as it becomes available.
