Texting driver strikes semi truck; both drivers escape harm

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(LAMOTTE TOWNSHIP) — Sanilac County Sheriff’s deputies say car collided with a semi truck Thursday night and the crash was the result of texting while driving. The incident took place at 8:45 p.m. at the intersection of M-46 and M-53 in Lamotte Township. Deputies say the car, driven by a 21-year old Merrill man, was traveling west on M-46 and failed to stop at the M-53 traffic light, striking the southbound semi truck. The impact punctured the fuel tank on the semi, causing around 100 gallons of fuel to spill onto the roadway. The Merrill man was treated at the scene by Marlette EMS and released. The driver of the semi, a 39-year old Dearborn Heights man, was not injured. Deputies say the Merrill man had been texting on his cell phone at the time of the crash. He was issued citations for texting and driving and disregarding the traffic signal. Traffic was re-routed while the fuel spill was contained and cleaned from the roadway.