Greenbush Township, MI (June 30, 2026) – One person died, and two others were seriously injured in a wreck on US-27 on Sunday, June 28. A 64-year-old Elsie man was turning southbound onto US-27 from Maple Rapids Road when his vehicle was struck by a southbound vehicle.
The Elsie man died in the collision. The other vehicle was occupied by a 51-year-old woman and an 80-year-old man, both from the DeWitt area, who were the driver and passenger.
Both were taken to a Lansing-area hospital with serious injuries. Emergency units from the surrounding area assisted at the scene.
The accident remains under active review, and the circumstances that led to the turn into oncoming traffic have not yet been fully detailed.
We extend our condolences to the family of the man who lost his life.
What Happens After a Fatal Turning Crash on a Rural Highway?
Crashes that occur when a vehicle turns onto a highway involve a gap-judgment error, where a driver misjudges the speed or distance of oncoming traffic. On higher-speed rural highways, even a small miscalculation can leave little time to avoid a collision. These types of crashes are common at intersections where a smaller road meets a faster-moving highway without a traffic signal.
When a fatal crash happens in a rural area, several local agencies are involved beyond the responding deputies. Fire departments, ambulance services, and road commissions frequently work together to manage the scene, treat those hurt, and restore safe road conditions. This kind of multi-agency cooperation is especially common in counties with limited resources spread across a wide geographic area.
Investigators reviewing a turning crash typically look at sightlines, vehicle speeds, and any traffic control present at the intersection. Skid marks and vehicle damage can also help reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the point of contact between the two vehicles.
