Wayland, MI (May 21, 2026) – Three people were hospitalized on Wednesday evening, May 20, after a pickup truck hit the back of an ambulance on U.S. Highway 131 near Wayland.
The crash happened just before 7:00 p.m. on northbound U.S. Highway 131, north of 129th Avenue. The ambulance was taking a patient to Grand Rapids when the pickup driver behind it fell asleep and struck the rear of the rig.
The ambulance lost control, went into a ditch, rolled over, and landed on its roof. The patient inside the ambulance was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries.
The ambulance driver and the person caring for the patient in the back were also taken to a hospital. Their injuries were described as not life-threatening, and the accident remains under review as investigators continue gathering details.
We hope all three people hurt receive the care and support they need during recovery.
Why Ambulance Rollovers Can Lead to Serious Harm
Ambulance rollovers can be dangerous because patients and medical staff may be inside a moving care space when the vehicle turns over. A patient may already be injured or ill before the crash, which can make any added trauma more serious. People in the back might also be near equipment, cabinets, and medical devices that can shift during a hard movement.
Rear-end contact can cause sudden loss of control, especially on highways where vehicles travel at higher speeds. Large emergency vehicles may also react differently than smaller cars when struck from behind. After a rollover, doctors may check for head, neck, back, chest, and limb trauma. Seat belt use, patient restraints, vehicle speed, and final resting position can all help explain the severity of the harm.
