Midland, MI (July 6, 2026) – An 85-year-old Midland man died on Saturday, July 4, after the vehicle he was driving was struck by a tractor-trailer near the intersection of East Buttles and State streets in Midland. The collision occurred at approximately 4 p.m.
The man’s passenger, an 85-year-old woman, was taken to MyMichigan Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 47-year-old man from Memphis, Tennessee, was not hurt.
No synopsis of how the wreck unfolded was provided by the police. No further details about the accident were available at the time of this report. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Our deepest condolences go out to the man’s family, and we wish the woman a full recovery.
What Are the Dangers of Car and Semi-Truck Crashes in Urban Intersections?
Crashes between passenger vehicles and tractor-trailers at city intersections tend to be especially serious because of the enormous difference in size and weight between the two. A fully loaded semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while a standard passenger car weighs a fraction of that. When the two collide, the smaller vehicle absorbs the vast majority of the force, leaving its occupants with very little protection.
Urban intersections add complexity to these crashes because vehicles approach from multiple directions, at varying speeds. A tractor-trailer making a turn or passing through an intersection occupies far more space than a standard vehicle and requires significantly more time to slow down or stop. When timing or spacing is misjudged by either driver, the consequences can be severe, particularly for those in the smaller vehicle.
Older adults face heightened risk in serious crashes due to physical changes that come with age, including reduced bone density and greater vulnerability to trauma. Even injuries that might be survivable for a younger person can become life-threatening for someone in their eighties. Medical facilities near the scene play an important role in outcomes for seriously hurt older occupants who need prompt and specialized care.
