WEXFORD COUNTY — Police are asking the public for help in a crash investigation that caused significant damage to U.S. 131 in Clam Lake Township.
Michigan State Police are seeking information about a vehicle that was hauling a liquid tar construction trailer that was not secured and became unhitched in the middle of the travel lane on the highway, north of the Cadillac rest area in Clam Lake Township on Aug. 28.
Troopers are asking anyone with information to call the Cadillac Post at 231-779-6040.
“Leaving a piece of equipment in the travel lane of a roadway poses a serious risk to motorists,” said Lt. Ashley Miller. “It was left in the only lane open in a construction zone, and during the hours of darkness. We are thankful there were no injuries or fatalities.”
Troopers were called to the area at about 9:40 p.m. Friday after a southbound car, driven by a 50-year-old California man, crashed into the trailer and a second car, driven by a 25-year-old Oscoda woman, coming from the same direction crashed into the trailer and then collided with the first car.
During the investigation troopers discovered that the trailer had an illegal license plate from Texas and the Vehicle Identification Number was “obstructed and damaged,” officials said.
The portion of roadway that the crashes happened on was restricted to one land due to ongoing construction and caused “significant damage to the newly constructed highway,” the police reported in a news release.
The incident remains under investigation. The Michigan Department of Transportation, Wexford County Road Commission, Cadillac City Fire Department and Mobile Medical Response assisted troopers at the scene.