A heartbreaking crash in southeast Michigan has left a family grieving after a 32-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn child were killed in a violent collision Saturday night. Authorities say speed and alcohol were factors, and a suspect is now behind bars. Here’s what we know.
What We Know So Far
- Around 10 p.m. Saturday, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a rollover crash on northbound U.S. 23 near Consear Road in Whiteford Township.
- Kaitlyn A. Ellison, 32, of Petersburg, Michigan, was driving a Ford Escape when her vehicle was sideswiped by a Chrysler 300 driven by a 24-year-old man from Oregon, Ohio.
- Witnesses say the man was speeding on the right shoulder, then tried to pass Ellison on the left before striking her car.
- The Ford Escape rolled several times down an embankment, landing on its side.
- Ellison was extricated by firefighters and rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She was seven months pregnant. Her unborn child did not survive.
- The suspect’s vehicle landed in the median. He fled the scene on foot but was arrested at a nearby gas station.
- The man is now in custody at Monroe County Jail and faces pending felony charges.
- Speed and alcohol were both factors, according to the sheriff’s office.
What It Means for Monroe County and Southeast Michigan
This devastating crash has shaken the Whiteford Township and Petersburg communities. Residents are mourning the loss of a young mother and her child, taken far too soon.
Sheriff’s officials are urging drivers in Monroe County to slow down and drive responsibly, especially on busy highways like U.S. 23.
“This didn’t have to happen,” one first responder said. “Reckless decisions ended two lives.”
The incident also raises concerns about aggressive driving, drunk driving, and road safety on Michigan highways—issues that have plagued the region in recent months.
What You Should Watch For or What You Can Do Now
- If you witnessed the crash or have any information, contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 734-240-7548 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-773-2587.
- Avoid distractions and aggressive maneuvers behind the wheel. Police remind drivers that reckless driving is a criminal offense—and can have deadly consequences.
- If you’re commuting on U.S. 23, especially near Consear Road, expect increased patrol presence in the coming weeks.
Stay alert, drive safe — and keep your community in your thoughts during this difficult time.
This article was written by John Deluca. AI was used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.
