1 Killed in Truck Accident on Faylor Road near Copemish, MI

Manistee County, MI — March 4, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 7:30 a.m. on Faylor Road near Marilla Road.

Authorities said a car lost control on the icy road and crashed head-on with a Manistee County plow truck. The truck had been salting the road at the time of the crash.

The driver, a 17-year-old boy, died in the crash east of Copemish, according to authorities.

No other injuries were reported.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Crashes involving icy roads often get written off as unavoidable, but my experience handling vehicle accident cases has taught me that there’s usually more to the story. The key question here isn’t just what happened, but whether anything could have been done to prevent it.

One area that deserves scrutiny is whether the road had been properly treated for ice. Plow trucks are meant to clear and maintain roadways in hazardous conditions, but timing is everything. If this stretch of road had not been plowed or salted before the crash, that could have played a role. Investigators should look at maintenance logs to determine when crews last serviced the area and whether road conditions were being adequately monitored.

Beyond that, investigators should consider whether the design of the road itself contributed to the loss of control. Some roads, particularly in rural areas, lack proper drainage, leading to patches of ice that don’t melt as quickly as they should. If this is a known issue, were there warning signs in place to alert drivers to potentially hazardous conditions?

Finally, it’s important to look at visibility and lighting. Early morning conditions combined with winter weather can make it difficult for drivers to see hazards ahead. If the roadway lacked proper signage or lighting, that could have contributed to the crash.

While icy roads may be a factor, they shouldn’t be seen as the end of the investigation. A full examination should consider road maintenance, design and environmental factors to determine whether this crash was truly unavoidable or if steps could have been taken to prevent it.