GRAND HAVEN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Grand Haven Tribune) - A semitrailer drifted across U.S. 31 just south of Hayes Street Tuesday, July 10, after the 72-year-old driver suffered a medical condition, police said.
The semi eventually came to a stop in the brush bordering the west side of the highway. No other vehicles were involved in the incident, according to Sgt. Brian Buter of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office.
Buter said that the semi was northbound on U.S. 31 at about 9:48 a.m., when it started drifting across the highway, went across the median, the southbound lanes and off the west side of the highway.
A retired doctor, who happened to be walking through the area, helped with life-saving efforts to the driver, Buter said. The driver, whose name was withheld because of his medical condition was taken to Mercy Hospital in Muskegon by North Ottawa Community Hospital ambulance. He was conscious when transported and was in serious condition at the time.
Both northbound lanes were open to traffic. Southbound U.S. 31 was down to one lane while a tow truck pulled the vehicle back out of the brush.
The truck was then driven to a nearby parking area.
All lanes of U.S. 31 were open within an hour and 20 minutes of the accident.
Assisting at the scene were Grand Haven Township Fire Rescue and the Michigan State Police motor carrier officer.
