Man accused of reckless driving in crash that injured 4, closed Mackinac Bridge for hours
The crash that injured four people, two seriously, early Wednesday on the Mackinac Bridge was the result of reckless driving, Michigan State Police said.
The impact of the crash, which was near an active construction zone, and the on-scene investigation closed the bridge in both directions from about 3 a.m. until shortly before 8 a.m., when the Michigan Department of Transportation reopened that section of Interstate 75.
The at-fault driver was taken into custody and lodged at Mackinac County Jail, troopers said.
Investigators learned that multiple vehicles passed through the southbound toll booths from the St. Ignace approach at about 2:55 a.m.
"As the vehicles exited the toll area, they quickly accelerated and began driving recklessly at high rates of speed," troopers said.
One of the vehicles involved in the incident rear-ended the other, near the construction zone lane restriction. In the aftermath, four people were taken to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries. Two of them have serious injuries, police said.
Police said the at-fault driver is a 28-year-old man from Jamaica who was working and living seasonally in Michigan. His name was withheld by police, pending court arraignment on an arrest for reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function.
The investigation is continuing, as other people may have been involved in the reckless behavior.
"Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash," troopers said.
The Michigan State Police St. Ignace Post is handling the investigation. Assisting agencies included the Mackinac Bridge Authority, Michigan Department of Transportation, Mackinac County Emergency Management, St. Ignace Police Department, Mackinaw City Police Department, Mackinac County Sheriff's Office, Straits Area EMS, St. Ignace Fire and Rescue, Chippewa County Dispatch and CCE Dispatch.
Michigan Department of Transportation construction and traffic reports are at the MI Drive site.
