News Summary
A tragic accident occurred in Farmington Hills, MI, where a road worker lost his life, and two others were seriously injured when a vehicle struck them while they were conducting sewer line repairs. The driver of the Ford Escape that veered into the work zone was also hospitalized. Investigations are underway, with work zone safety concerns being raised in the aftermath of the incident.
Farmington Hills, MI – An Oakland County road worker was tragically killed and two others injured in a serious accident on Wednesday morning at around 11 a.m. The incident took place on Orchard Lake Road, between 10 Mile and 11 Mile roads, while the crew was conducting sewer line repairs in the northbound lane.
A Ford Escape, heading south on Orchard Lake Road, veered into the lane occupied by the road crew, crossing the median and striking three workers who were legally parked at the site. Emergency and warning lights, along with cones, were clearly set up to alert oncoming traffic to the work zone.
One of the road workers, identified as Cedric Jones, age 43, succumbed to injuries sustained at the scene. The other two workers were transported to the hospital, where they are being treated for serious, life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford Escape was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was also taken to the hospital; however, details regarding the driver’s condition remain undisclosed.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Police are considering multiple potential contributing factors, including the effects of drugs or alcohol, or any medical emergencies that may have impacted the driver’s ability to maintain control of the vehicle.
The incident has raised significant concerns about work zone safety. The Police Chief of Farmington Hills voiced condolences to Jones’s family and stressed the critical importance of drivers exercising caution in work zones, where workers are often vulnerable to the risks posed by moving vehicles.
As the investigation continues, Orchard Lake Road was closed to traffic between 10 Mile and 11 Mile roads to facilitate the inquiry, with the closure lasting until shortly before 4:30 p.m. on the same day.
The Road Commission for Oakland County expressed their sorrow over this tragic event and emphasized the necessity of supporting the families affected. They highlighted that safety measures in work zones are paramount and urged drivers to be vigilant whenever approaching these areas.
Under Michigan law, significant penalties can arise from causing injuries or deaths within work zones. For causing injury, a driver may face up to one year in jail along with a potential $1,000 fine. In cases where a death results, charges could escalate to felonies, carrying penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching $7,500.
Investigators are seeking assistance from the public and anyone with information regarding the accident is encouraged to contact the Farmington Hills Police Department at 248-871-2610. Gathering information may help shed light on the cause of this tragic incident.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press
- Wikipedia: Work Zone
- CBS News
- Google Search: Farmington Hills road worker accident
- WXYZ Detroit
- Google Scholar: Work Zone Safety
- ClickOnDetroit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Work Zone
- Fox 2 Detroit
- Google News: Oakland County road worker death
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
