LARKIN TOWNSHIP, Midland County, Mich., Sept. 16, 2026 — A motorcyclist died Tuesday afternoon, September 15, following a two-vehicle crash on North Eastman Road in Larkin Township. The Midland County Sheriff's Office says a pickup truck and a motorcycle collided at an intersection turn.
According to authorities, a 26-year-old Mills Township man was riding a motorcycle south on North Eastman Road, north of East Schneider Court, at about 2:39 p.m. when a northbound pickup truck turned left in front of him. Investigators say the motorcycle struck the truck during the turn. The sheriff's office has identified the motorcyclist as Tanner Blaine Schmidt, 26, of Mills Township.
Schmidt was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. The pickup's driver, a 72-year-old Mills Township man, reported minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to MyMichigan Medical Center for evaluation.
Toxicology testing is pending to determine whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash, according to the sheriff's office. A final report will go to the Midland County Prosecutor's Office once the investigation is complete. Crews responding to the scene included the Larkin Township and Mills Township fire departments, MyMichigan EMS, the Midland County Medical Examiner's Office, the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit, and a wrecker service, authorities said.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk When a Motorcycle Meets a Turning Vehicle
Left-turn crashes at intersections put motorcyclists in a uniquely exposed position. A rider has no metal frame, airbags, or seat belt to absorb a collision, so injuries from even a modest-speed impact tend to be more severe than those in a car-to-car crash of the same speed.
Drivers making left turns often misjudge a motorcycle's speed and distance because its narrower profile makes it harder to see and easier to underestimate. This kind of misjudgment is a recurring factor in intersection crashes involving motorcycles and larger vehicles.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 365 large-truck occupants were killed in multi-vehicle crashes involving large trucks in 2023. Motorcyclists face a comparable imbalance in vehicle size and protection whenever they share the road with pickups, trucks, or other larger vehicles making turning movements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does speed affect how survivable a crash is?
Yes. Even a small increase in speed raises both the force of impact and the distance needed to stop or react, which is why intersection speed limits and driver attentiveness matter so much for rider safety.
Why does helmet and protective gear use matter for motorcyclists?
Riders without a vehicle frame around them rely on helmets and protective gear to reduce head and body injuries. Data consistently shows helmeted riders have better outcomes in crashes of similar severity.
What should a family do after a loved one dies in a traffic crash?
Families can request the official crash report from the investigating agency once it's finalized and can contact the medical examiner's office with questions about the death certificate or autopsy findings.
How do investigators determine fault in a fatal crash like this?
Agencies typically rely on scene evidence, witness statements, vehicle data, and sometimes a dedicated crash reconstruction unit to reconstruct speeds, positions, and movements before issuing a final report.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Larkin Township, Michigan
If you're involved in or witness a motorcycle crash, call 911 immediately and stay at the scene until authorities arrive. Even if injuries seem minor, it's recommended to get medical evaluation, since some injuries like internal trauma or concussions aren't obvious right away.
Don't forget to take photos of the scene if it's safe to do so, and get contact information for any witnesses. Request a copy of the official police report once it's available, and follow up with your insurance company promptly. If you're grieving the loss of a loved one, the sheriff's office and medical examiner's office are the right contacts for updates on the investigation and official documentation.
