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Authorities: Medical Emergency Led To Fatal Crash On I-96

HOWELL TWP. (WWJ/AP) - Authorities say a medical emergency led to an August crash that killed a wrong-way driver and two other motorists following a collision on Interstate 96 in Livingston County.

The sheriff's department said the Aug. 12 crash happened near the Tanger Outlet Center when a pickup truck, driven by 54-year-old George Tissen of Fowlerville, traveling eastbound on I-96 crossed the median into the westbound lanes near M-59 and collided with a car head-on. Tissen was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the other car, 57-year-old Legrand Bloomstine, was seriously injured but survived. Two other passengers in Bloomstine's vehicle were not as lucky; his wife, 49-year-old Susan Bloomstine, died at a hospital and 80-year old Charles Wright died in the crash. The Bloomstines and Wright are from Wyoming, Mich.

Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte told WHMI Tissen had a heart condition and investigator believe he suffered some sort of medical emergency based on witness statements at the scene.

Bezotte said results of toxicology tests showed no trace of drugs or alcohol in Tissen's system.

TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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