Five injured in multicar crash

WARREN — Five people were injured and transported to the hospital after a three-car crash at the intersection of Van Dyke Avenue and Chicago Road at around 5:15 p.m. on Oct. 15.

Two people reportedly remained hospitalized at press time.

According to police, a preliminary investigation shows that a Toyota Camry, with four people in the vehicle, was traveling northbound on Van Dyke and approaching the intersection when its driver allegedly disregarded a traffic signal and struck a Honda traveling eastbound on Chicago Road.

The woman driving the Honda was not at fault, but sustained the most injuries, according to Warren police. She is listed in critical but stable condition. She was reportedly unconscious, intubated and under observation for possible internal injuries, and awaits surgery for spinal fractures, said police at press time.

The Toyota Camry, which police allege caused the accident, carried a passenger who is more than 30 weeks pregnant, according to police. The woman and her unborn child are reportedly listed in stable condition. The woman sustained a right leg fracture and is awaiting surgery.

Three other people who were in the Toyota Camry were treated and released from the hospital, police said.

A third vehicle, a Mazda, was also struck by the impact of the Toyota and Honda.

Police are not releasing the names of those involved in the accident. However, they did say they live in various cities including Warren, Detroit, and outside of the tri-county area. The ages of those in the accident range from 16 to 62, according to police.

Oil from the vehicles involved leaked onto the roadway and possibly entered a nearby storm drain, according to police in a written release. The intersection of Van Dyke and Chicago was closed for more than three hours to allow Warren police and hazardous materials crews to contain the spill. Police described it as minor and of no threat to the community.

According to police, the intersection reopened around 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 15.

There have been 61 crashes to date at the Van Dyke and Chicago intersection this year and a total of 77 in 2022, according to police.

Investigators are waiting on an analysis of the alleged at-fault driver’s blood to determine if drugs or alcohol were involved, said police. The driver of the Toyota Camry is currently charged with two counts of operating with a suspended/revoked license causing serious injury, which is a five-year felony. Additional felony charges could be warranted depending on the results of the blood analysis, police said.

“Our investigators are working to piece together the sequence of events that led up to this incident,” said Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer in a written release.