Mackinac Bridge temporarily closes after 2-vehicle accident; arrest made for felony reckless driving

– A serious two-vehicle crash on the Mackinac Bridge early Wednesday morning left four people injured and resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old man on a felony charge of reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function.

Victims and emergency response

The driver believed to be at fault, a 28-year-old man from Jamaica who had been living and working seasonally in the area, was arrested and lodged in the Mackinac County Jail on a charge of reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function, a felony offense, said Lt. Ben Eckola, Michigan State Police Eighth District public information officer.

The bridge was temporarily closed as emergency crews responded to the crash.

Police said the vehicles began traveling recklessly at high rates of speed.

The crash occurred in an active construction zone on the bridge, where southbound traffic is restricted to a single lane.

Investigators said one vehicle struck the rear of another vehicle.

Crash under investigation

MSP’s preliminary investigation indicates that several vehicles passed through the southbound I-75 toll booths before exiting the toll area and quickly accelerating.

Eckola said troopers from the St. Ignace post were dispatched to the crash at approximately 2:55 a.m. Wednesday.