Storm slows traffic, causes accidents

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MARQUETTE - Slippery, snowy road conditions in the Marquette area Wednesday caused several traffic accidents.

The Marquette City Police Department responded to a five-car accident at 7 p.m. on Wright Street, half a mile north of Forestville Road.

According to police, a Dodge car driven by a 24-year-old Marquette man was traveling north on Wright Street when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it started to turn sideways. A second vehicle, a Pontiac car driven by a 19-year-old Ishpeming man, was unable to stop and struck the first vehicle, police said.

According to officials, a third vehicle, a Pontiac car driven by a 26-year-old White Pine man, slid into the first two vehicles.

A fourth vehicle, a Dodge car driven by a 25-year-old Gladstone man, slid into the fourth vehicle and a fifth vehicle, a GMC pickup truck driven by a 27-year-old Grand Haven man, slid into the fourth vehicle.

Police said the driver of the first vehicle was ticketed for driving with a suspended license.

The driver of the fourth vehicle and a passenger in the second vehicle, a 19-year-old Marquette woman, complained of injury and were taken to Marquette General Hospital by MediRide.

No names are being released., so the conditions of the injured persons were not available.

Earlier in the day, two people were injured in a single-vehicle rollover accident on M-553 across from the Marquette County Fairgrounds, according to the Marquette County Sheriff's Office.

At about 11:10 a.m., Sallie Timler, 49, of Escanaba was driving a Ford pickup truck south and attempted to pass a bus in the passing lane. According to police, Timler said she encountered a slushy section of road and lost control of her vehicle. The vehicle crossed over the center line and hit the snowbank on the east side of the road, police said.

The vehicle then rolled over once in the snow, officials said. Timler complained of a sore neck and back while a passenger, Mary Ann Derouin, 75, also of Escanaba, received minor injuries in the crash, police said.

The driver and passenger were transported to MGH by the Sands Township EMS for treatment.

According to MGH officials, both were treated and released. Timler was listed at fault in the crash, police said.

Assisting at the scene was Sands Township Fire/EMS and Sheriff's deputies.

Michigan State Police from the Negaunee Township post responded to five cars in the ditch in Marquette County Wednesday, as well as to a three-car traffic accident in Marquette Township on U.S. 41 east of Commerce Drive at about 3:55 p.m.

Police had few details of that crash this morning, but said at least one of the occupants in one of the vehicles was injured.

Neither the Munising State Police post nor the Alger County Sheriff's Office reported any accidents Wednesday afternoon or this morning.

The Newberry State Police post also reported no accidents. The Munising State Police post said roads were clear Wednesday, but snow was beginning to fall over Alger County this morning and drivers should slow down as the roads become slippery.

The Negaunee City Police reported three accidents yesterday, one involving a snowmobile that occurred at about 6:20 p.m., and the other two involving vehicles at 8:53 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.

There were no reports of injuries.