Incident Information

The tragic loss of a Van Buren County road worker on Friday has sent shockwaves through the community. Michigan State Police and the Van Buren County Road Commission report that the fatal accident occurred at the intersection of County Road 681 and 48th Avenue, near Lawrence Township. Rene Rangel, 58, of Dowagiac, was performing his duties holding a traffic sign in a work zone when a 1997 Dodge pickup truck attempted to pass a stopped 2012 Chevrolet pickup truck. Unfortunately, the Dodge driver rear-ended the Chevrolet and subsequently hit Mr. Rangel. Lieutenant DuWayne Robinson of Michigan State Police said it isn’t clear why the Dodge driver chose to try and pass the stopped vehicle, which had been appropriately following Mr. Rangel’s traffic directions.

The heartbreaking loss of Rangel, who was dedicatedly serving as a traffic officer within a work zone when he was fatally struck, has left the whole community in mourning. During his tenure, his unwavering commitment towards the betterment of the road commission and the motoring public had greatly contributed to their well-being. The touching words of Linnea Rader, the acting managing director for the Van Buren County Road Commission, as she expressed her grief over Rangel’s untimely demise brought together both employees and board members to pay their respects. Offering immense support and condolences to the bereaved family and friends, Rader’s heartfelt sentiment highlights the emotional void left in the community by this unfortunate tragedy. The 30-year-old man from Hartford driving a Dodge and the 48-year-old man from Lawrence behind the wheel of a Chevrolet both escaped without injuries, according to state police.

In a press conference held around noon on Friday, Michigan State Police revealed more information about the heart-wrenching incident and identified Rangel as the unfortunate victim. Tragically, drugs are suspected to have played a significant role in the crash, as disclosed by the troopers. Focused on investigating and clearing the scene, authorities temporarily closed the roadway, before reopening it to traffic at 1 p.m on Friday. Urging the public to remain vigilant and attentive, Robinson lamented how such accidents usually occur in road construction zones where drivers fail to give undivided attention to their surroundings.

The Lee Steinberg Law Firm: Talk to an Expert Michigan Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for FREE

Pedestrian safety is becoming a major point of concern in Michigan. More and more people are struck by vehicles on the streets – either due to speeding or being distracted – it’s clear that roads need to be made safer not only for those driving cars, but also for pedestrians and cyclists.

If you or a loved one have been hurt in a pedestrian accident, you could be entitled to damages for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other associated costs. At The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we have over four decades of experience that can help protect your rights in such cases. Our trusted Michigan pedestrian accident lawyers can assist you in claiming the full compensation you deserve.

We work with experts and doctors to ensure the best possible outcome and money compensation for your case. There is never a fee until we win. Please call toll free at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) for a free consultation.

Similar Accidents:

• Pedestrian Struck by a Vehicle on Eight Mile Road Resulting in Death
• 7-Year Old Girl Struck by a Kia Optima in Chesterfield Township Resulting in Injury
• Pedestrian Struck By Plow Truck in Ann Arbor Resulting In Death
• An 84 Year Old Man Driving a Ford Van Hits a 47 Year Old Male in a Pedestrian Accident Resulting in Death