WHITEFORD TWP, MICH. (WWJ) A wrong-way crash near the Michigan-Ohio border left a Monroe County woman dead and two teenagers seriously injured, sheriff's officials said.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said the crash happened on Saturday, February 14 around 10:00 p.m. on US-23 near Sterns, in Whiteford Township.
According to authorities, a woman in a Ford Escape struck a Ford F-150 carrying two teenagers head-on as she drove southbound in the northbound lanes of the highway.
The driver of the Ford Escape died at the scene. The Sheriff's Office identified her as Rhonda Bartnik, 60, of Ottawa Lake.
Paramedics rushed the teens to the hospital. Authorities said Calvin Campbell, 18, was driving the pickup; accompanied by a 17-year-old girl in the front seat. Both are residents of Dundee. At last check, they're listed in serious condition.
Sheriff's officials said "careless driving was a factor." Everyone involved wore seatbelts, and airbags deployed in both vehicles at the time of the crash.
Members of the Whiteford Township Fire Department, Monroe Community Ambulance; and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Victim Services Unit and Chaplain Program assisted at the scene.
If you have any information on the crash, please call the Monroe County Traffic Services Division at (734) 240-7541. Lieutenant Brian Quinn and Deputy Sheriffs Alec Preadmore and Steve Warren are leading the investigation. You can also submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SpeakUp or to their website www.1800speakup.org.