MUSKEGON COUNTY (WWJ) – A 73-year-old woman has died after she was involved in a fiery rollover crash on Monday in West Michigan.
Michigan State Police said the victim, from Muskegon, was driving a Chevy Equinox on River Road near Laketon Township in Muskegon County, shortly before 1 p.m. on Aug. 22, when she began experiencing a medical event.
The woman, whose name has not been released, lost control of her SUV and crossed into the other lane, going into a ditch, striking a culvert and overturning.
Her vehicle then went up in flames.
When an MSP trooper arrived at the scene, she noticed flames coming from under the hood. Dash cam video showed the trooper immediately begin trying to break out the windshield using her hands, arms and feet.
While she was trying to get into the car so she could free the woman – who was alert and conscious – several citizens, fire department personnel and other law enforcement officers showed up to help.
Collectively, they were able to push the vehicle upright, and using a total of five fire extinguishers, were able to keep the fire contained until advanced fire department units arrived on scene.
The woman was eventually freed from the SUV by fire personnel using life-saving extrication equipment and she was taken to the hospital.
Officials initially said that the woman was expected to survive, but MSP later learned that she died in the hospital.
"Our sincerest apologies and sympathy are extended to the family during this difficult time," MSP said in a statement, along with the update Friday.
Authorities did not disclose the nature of the medical emergency.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story included a video released by Michigan State Police showing troopers and others pulling the woman from her burning vehicle. Following the woman's death, her family requested that the video not be shown to the public.
Related
