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Semi-Truck Driver Dies On Mackinac Bridge

DETROIT (WWJ) - A semi-truck driver is killed on The Mackinac Bridge after crossing over the center line--and then striking the bridge and several other vehicles in the process.

Mackinaw Bridge Authority Administrator Bob Sweeney says this is usually a peaceful bridge -- but there is a lot of twisted metal after the smash up:

"He was heading south in the northbound lanes at that time -- appeared to avoid a northbound vehicle and hit the rail again, and then continued south another 100 feet ..then struck another northbound vehicle ... then the semi-truck came to rest on the pipe rail on the bridge," said Sweeney.

Sweeney says that it doesn't appear that wind speeds played a factor and that no other vehicles experienced issues driving over the bridge Friday afternoon.

It is not clear if the truck's driver was killed by the crash or from a health issue suffered before the wreck.  He says due to numerous traffic camera angles - they believe the accident was caused by operator error.   The bridge was closed for several hours while the incident was investigated.

 

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