MAYFIELD TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - Authorities say they're looking into whether drugs, booze and excessive speed were behind a serious single-vehicle crash in Lapeer County that killed a 58-year-old man late Tuesday evening.
According to the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were made aware of the crash with an injury reported around 11:22 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the intersection of M-24 and Plum Creek Road in Lapeer.
Preliminary information revealed the crash involved one pick up truck that had rolled over, ejecting an occupant in the process.
As deputies investigated the scene, they found that the driver — identified as Anthony Saferian, 58, from Metamora — was the lone occupant of a 2017 Ford F-250 that was traveling south on M-24 when just north of Plum Creek Road, he came upon a bend in the road.
"Saferian failed to navigate the curve and continued straight in direction subsequently crossing over the center turn lane and entering the northbound lane," deputies said in a prepared statement. "Saferian sideswiped (traveling in opposite directions) a northbound 2002 Chev Silverado driven by a 57-year-old male from Vassar. This crash did not result in extensive damage or injuries."
However, authorities said the Saferian did not stop, with his vehicle leaving the road and going into a ditch.
"While traveling within the ditch for a period of time, the vehicle turned sideways due to terrain. This resulted in the vehicle rolling over (side to side) multiple times," police added.
Saferian's truck eventually came to a stop on the driver’s side as it crashed into and broke a DTE Energy utility pole.
Deputies said Saferian was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was ejected from his truck as it rolled.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities confirmed.
The roadway was closed for three hours as investigators processed the scene. DTE workers were also called out to secure the utility pole overhead, ensuring line electric lines did not fall on authorities.
The sheriff's office said the crash remains under investigation at this time, with toxicology results pending to determine if either drugs or alcohol contributed to the incident.
"The Lapeer County Reconstruction Team’s is conducting a collision analysis to determine if excessive speeds (50 MPH speed limit) contributed," authorities added.