Details released in U.S. 41 crash involving nine vehicles

More details have been released in the multiple car accident that involved a total of nine vehicles in Negaunee Township Monday afternoon.

Troopers from the Negaunee Post of the Michigan State Police say the accident happened on U.S. 41 near Brebner Road just before 1 p.m.

Police say an westbound 2001 Honda driven by Theresa Selman, 54, of Ishpeming crossed the snow-covered median of the highway and slid into the path of two eastbound vehicles.

Selman’s vehicle hit a 2013 Toyota Highlander driven by 74-year-old Eleanor Weaver of Republic and a 2002 Buick Century driven by Kelly Illikainen, 22, of Negaunee.

At the same time, several other vehicles lost control while trying to avoid the three-car collision, and either crashed into a vehicle, guardrail, or the ditch.

An ambulance from Marquette General Hospital was also involved in the collision; it was driving through the area and stopped to assist at the scene when it was hit by a 2004 Chevroley Impala driven by Casey Juntila, 19, of Champion as she tried to avoid the crashed vehicles.

Police say Selman was determined to be at fault in the crash for driving too fast for conditions, as at the time of the crash U.S. 41 was covered with snow and ice creating hazardous travel conditions.

Thirteen people were involved in the crash, including three juveniles, and everyone had been wearing a seatbelt a the time of the collisions; police say there were only two reports of minor injuries.

Marquette General EMS and Whistler’s Towing assisted at the scene.