By David Fleet
dfleet@mihomepaper.com
Atlas Twp. — At 5:31 a.m., May 21, the Atlas Township Fire Department responded to a vehicle accident on M-15 north of Hill Road. A Jeep stopped in the northbound lane was hit by a garbage truck that could not stop in time. The garbage truck had ended up in the yard of a nearby home.
The Jeep driver was extricated from the vehicle and thanks to the quick response from a Michigan State Trooper, Atlas Township firefighters and Medstar ambulance the victim regained a pulse and was transported to Hurley Medical Center. The garbage truck driver wasn’t hurt and agreed to go to the hospital to be checked. He also took a breath test that showed no alcohol in his system and was later released, according to the Genesee County Sheriff.
M-15 was closed at the time of the accident and re-opened at 11:43. The accident is still under investigation, and we are asking anyone who may have witnessed what happened to call the Genesee County Sheriff Department.
“It is essential to close the road for the safety of both the individuals involved and the first responders who are assisting in hazardous situations,” said Ed Klimek, Atlas Township Fire chief.
“Some drivers expressed frustration and used strong language when they had to change their route due to the road closure. Keep in mind that the second leading cause of firefighter deaths is being struck on roadways while helping others. We all have families that we would like to get home too.”