2 drivers killed in intersection crash in Gladwin County

GLADWIN COUNTY — On July 29 at 6:14 p.m., Gladwin County Central Dispatch received a report of a traffic crash involving injuries at the intersection of South Hackaday Road and West Howard Road, according to the Gladwin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Gladwin Fire Department, Beaverton Fire Department, Gladwin EMS and deputies from the Gladwin County Sheriff’s Office were sent to the scene. Upon arrival, deputies said they assisted with life-saving efforts for the two drivers involved in the crash. There were no passengers involved, deputies said.

A 73-year-old Beaverton man was pronounced dead at the scene, deputies said, and a 48-year-old Coleman man was taken by ambulance to the My Michigan Medical Center in Gladwin, where he was later pronounced dead.

An investigation revealed the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta driven by the 48-year-old man was traveling west on East Howard Road, and a 2004 Suzuki XL7 driven by the 73-year-old was traveling south on South Hackaday Road, deputies said.

The Volkswagen failed to stop at the stop sign and crashed into the Suzuki in the intersection, deputies said.

The crash caused both vehicles to leave the roadway and come to a rest along the southwest corner of the intersection, officials said.

The crash is still under investigation.

The Gladwin County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Gladwin Fire Department, the Beaverton Fire Department, the Secord Fire Department, the Beaverton Police Department, Gladwin EMS, Michigan State Police and the medical examiner’s office.