Investigators Say Worn Tires, Not Potholes, Caused Fatal Crash
LYON TWP. (WWJ/AP) - Investigators say worn tires, not potholes, were responsible for a January crash in suburban Detroit that killed a man and his 9-year-old son.
Documents obtained by the Detroit Free Press through a Freedom of Information Act request show that four potholes, including one measuring 4.3 feet by 13.6 feet, were east of the crash scene on westbound Pontiac Trail in Oakland County's Lyon Township.
The documents say, however, that sheriff's investigators believe the condition of the tires and possibly wet, snowy conditions were to blame for the crash.
Pedro Montanez, 36 , and his son Steven were killed Jan. 20 on the way to school when their vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic and was hit by a pickup. Two other children, a 10-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl, were injured in the crash. Montanez was declared dead at the scene. His son died about an hour later at a hospital.
The other driver, a 25-year-old Farmington Hills man, was not hurt. Sheriff's officials said he did attempt to avoid the crash by running off the roadway to the right onto the shoulder.
Investigators previously had indicated that a pothole could be a contributing factor. The possibility was cited ahead of a failed May vote on road funding.
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