1 Injured in Truck Accident on U.S. Route 12 in Branch County, MI

Branch County, MI — January 29, 2025, one person was injured in a truck accident at about 5:50 a.m. on U.S. Route 12 near Freemont Road.

Authorities said a 2014 Buick Verano crashed into the back of a Freightliner semi-truck as both vehicles were traveling east near Quincy. The impact caused the Buick to flip over, trapping the driver.

The Buick driver, a 91-year-old man whose name has not been made public, was hospitalized with serious injuries after the crash, according to authorities. The truck driver was not injured.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still being investigated.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I hear about a crash where a car rear-ends a semi-truck, my first question is, “Why didn’t the driver stop in time?” Many people assume that rear-end crashes are always the fault of the trailing driver, but in my experience, these incidents often involve more than just a delayed reaction.

One of the first things investigators should determine is whether the truck was moving at normal highway speeds or if it had slowed unexpectedly. Was it merging, braking or accelerating from a stop? In some cases, a truck moving significantly slower than surrounding traffic can create a hazard that approaching drivers don’t anticipate. Investigators should look at ECM (black box) data from the truck to confirm its speed at the time of impact.

Another key factor is visibility. This crash happened early in the morning when lighting conditions may have made it harder for the Buick driver to see the truck ahead. Were the truck’s taillights and reflective markings in proper working order? I’ve handled cases where poor lighting on a trailer made it nearly invisible in low-light conditions, giving drivers little time to react.

At this point, too little is known to say exactly what led to this collision, but that’s why a full investigation is necessary. Looking beyond the basic facts will help ensure the right questions are asked and all possible causes are considered.