A view of the Huron County accident scene from a drone
Huron County Sheriff deputies responded to a two vehicle accident on N. Van Dyke (M53), south of Richardson Rd. in Colfax Township, where a northbound vehicle tried to avoid impact with a southbound vehicle. Lone occupant Janice Elftman age 60 of Filion told police she was northbound in her 2016 Dodge Caravan when she noticed a southbound van starting to come into her lane. She was pulling onto the right shoulder and slowing down when a 2012 Dodge Caravan driven by 59 year old Clinton McLeod of Kinde collided with her.
McLeod had five passengers ranging from one year old to 50 years of age. The impact trapped Mr. McLeod who was freed by the Bad Axe Fire Department with their jaws of Life. All were taken to the Huron Medical Center by ambulance, with the exception of Ms. Elftman who was taken to Scheurer Hospital by private vehicle.
Mr. McLeod, who is confined to a wheelchair, eventually was flown out by helicopter to an out of county hospital with what was believed to be non-life threatening injuries.
Three of his passengers were treated and released, with the exception of 21 year old Stacy Wenzel and 22 year old Meishan Thomas, both of Kinde, who are receiving treatment.
Assisting at the scene were the Bad Axe Police, Bad Axe Fire, Central Huron Ambulance, Elkton Ambulance and Bingham Ambulance. The accident scene roadway was closed for about an hour and a half. Sheriff Kelly Hanson said preliminary investigation suggests McLeod may have fallen asleep, causing the accident.
