AuTRAIN - A three-vehicle crash in AuTrain Township Tuesday morning left several people injured.
Michigan State Police troopers from the Munising post said the crash occurred shortly before 9 a.m. near AuTrain along M-28, just west of the Pinewood Lodge.
Keith Gall, 48, of Pelkie, was eastbound along M-28, attempting to pass a slower vehicle. He was driving a 2005 Ford Excursion.
Troopers said the highway was snow-covered and a gust of wind with snow created limited visibility. Samantha Rzanca, 19, was driving a 1998 GEO Tracker in the westbound lane when Gall attempted to overtake the slower driver.
The two vehicles slammed head-on. A third vehicle, driven by Matthew Thome, 23, of downstate Milford, was behind Rzanca and struck the rear end of her vehicle.
Gall had four passengers in his vehicle including Michelle Gall, 32 and Nikolai Gall, 9, who were not hurt in the crash, and Vladimir Gall, 6, and Alexei Gall, 3, who were injured.
Rzanca's vehicle carried two passengers: Marilyn Rzanca, 46, of Munising and Tony Constantino, 19, of Crystal Falls. Samantha and Marilyn Rzanca were listed in fair condition at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette today.
Gall, who was also injured, was cited by police for careless driving.
The extent of injuries of the others hurt in the crash was unknown by troopers. Marquette General listed no one else from the crash as patients at the hospital.
Thome was not hurt in the crash.
Traffic was temporarily stopped and limited to one lane while Alger County EMS personnel worked to free crash victims from their vehicles. AuTrain Township Fire Department crews were also at the scene.
Troopers remind drivers that winter weather has caused dangerous road conditions that are not always apparent. But prudent speeds, safe distances between vehicles and driving with headlights on can reduce the chance of accidents.
