Full Notification

The Columbia Township Police Department is currently investigating a personal injury accident that occurred at approximately 7:49 am on Tuesday, September 18, on Riverside Road approximately a half-mile West of M-50.

A Modern Waste refuse truck, with two employees, was traveling eastbound on Riverside, making stops to dump trash from garbage carts into the back of the truck. With the Modern Waste truck stopped and warning lights flashing, a 1997 Ford F-150, with two occupants and pulling a pop-up camper, approached the Modern Waste truck from the rear, also traveling eastbound.

The driver of the F-150 reported blinding sunlight hindering his vision.

The Modern Waste employee on the driver-side of the vehicle was struck and temporarily pinned between his truck and the F-150. The second Modern Waste employee was not struck nor injured, and was off to the passenger side of the truck.

The male driver of the F-150 (Kenneth George Eggleston, 55 years), as well as his female passenger (Kathy Mae Eggleston, 57 years), were both transported by ambulance to Henry Ford Allegiance with non-life-threatening injuries.

The F-150 was a total loss, with both airbags deployed. Both occupants of the F-150 were wearing seat belts. The Modern Waste truck had minor damage.

The injured Modern Waste employee, Justin David Pratt, 27 years, of Jackson, was admitted to Henry Ford Allegiance with critical injuries, and is still undergoing treatment.

Michigan State Police assisted at the scene with accident reconstruction. When investigations are complete, the reports will be forwarded to the Jackson County Prosecutor for review.

Neither drugs nor alcohol are believed to be factors in the accident.

UPDATE:

As a follow-up to yesterday’s serious accident on Riverside Road in Columbia Township, Justin David Pratt has succumbed to his injuries, late last night (Tuesday, September 18).

Please keep his wife, children and family in your thoughts and prayers.