(LAPEER TOWNSHIP) — Two people were seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday evening around 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Peppermill and Wilder Roads in Lapeer County’s Lapeer Township. Sheriff’s deputies say their initial investigation showed that a vehicle driven by 74-year Carol Betker of Almont, was traveling west on Peppermill Road when she disregarded the stop sign and struck a southbound pickup driven by 51-year old Mark Gazette. The impact caused Gazette’s pickup to hit a tree. Lapeer City Fire and Rescue extricated the driver’s from their vehicles. Both were transported by ambulance to McLaren-Lapeer Hospital. Gazette remains hospitalized in critical condition with life threatening injuries. Betker, who was not wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash, is in serious, but stable condition. Deputies say neither excessive speed nor alcohol were factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.
