Lansing, MI (September 17, 2025) – A woman from Portland lost her life in a serious crash northeast of Grand Ledge that involved multiple semi-trucks.
Accident Details: Investigators said the collision happened along I-96 between the M-100 and Grand River Highway exits. Preliminary information indicates that a tractor-trailer struck the back of a passenger vehicle, sparking a chain of impacts with two other semis traveling nearby.
The woman, who was alone in the car, died at the scene. A 65-year-old man from Georgia, driving one of the semi trucks, was hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Another truck driver, a 34-year-old from southeast Michigan, was uninjured.
Investigation: Chain-reaction collisions involving commercial vehicles often require detailed reconstruction. Investigators will likely review physical evidence such as skid marks, vehicle damage, and debris patterns to determine how quickly each driver reacted and whether any followed too closely. The semi-trucks’ onboard electronic logging devices and event data recorders can provide crucial information about speed, braking, and hours of service in the moments before the crash.
Authorities may also collect witness statements, traffic camera footage, and dispatch records to create a precise timeline. Early preservation of this evidence is critical because trucks are often quickly repaired or returned to service, and electronic data can be lost, making it harder to establish fault, prove negligence, or reconstruct the events leading up to the collision accurately.
Legal Considerations: From a civil perspective, the family of the woman who died may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim against one or more of the commercial drivers and potentially their employers. Wrongful death actions can compensate for funeral expenses, loss of financial contributions, loss of household services, and the emotional loss of a loved one’s companionship.
Liability in multi-vehicle crashes can be complex. Courts and insurers will examine factors such as distance, speed, driver fatigue, vehicle maintenance, and compliance with federal trucking regulations. They also consider whether inadequate training, improper cargo loading, or poor weather response contributed to the collision. Each element can shift the degree of fault assigned to drivers, carriers, or even third-party contractors.
I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the woman who lost her life in this collision. My thoughts are also with the injured truck driver and everyone affected by this crash.
Source: WLNS