GIRARD, MI (WTVB) – There was a wrong way driver accident last night in northern Branch County on I-69 with 3 people injured in the near head-on collision between two cars. Authorities say it could have ended up being a much, much worse situation.
Michigan State Police say the crash happened shortly before 10:00 p.m. Wednesday in Girard Township just south of Herricksville Road. Troopers say 75-year old Clifford Marshall of Marshall was on US 12 in Coldwater and mistakenly turned his Jeep Grand Cherokee onto the I-69 exit ramp and headed northbound in the southbound lanes of the interstate.
Marshall drove about 6 miles before colliding with a car that was passing a semi-tractor trailer. According to State Police, the driver of a Buick Century from Battle Creek managed to swerve so that only the ends of the front bumpers of the two vehicles made contact. The Buick ended up in the median of the highway while the Jeep came to rest in the left lane, which was closed down for 90 minutes following the crash.
Marshall and the two people from Battle Creek were taken by Life Care Ambulance to Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall to be checked out for possible minor injuries. Troopers say the at-fault driver showed signs of confusion and denied he was ever going in the wrong direction.
Marshall was ticketed for reckless driving.
