Lapeer County, MI — January 27, 2025, Marion Mazurek was killed in a truck accident at about 5 p.m. on Van Dyke Road/M-53.

Authorities said a 2005 International semi-truck was heading north near Wilcox Road when it lost control and jackknifed across the road, hitting a 2004 Mini Cooper. Both vehicles ended up in the ditch on the west side of the road.

Mini driver Marion Mazurek, 53, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities. The Brown City man was trapped in his car after the crash.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities said a preliminary investigation indicates icy roads and blowing snow may have been factors in the crash, but the accident west of Brown City is still being investigated.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Whenever I hear about a semi-truck jackknifing and crossing into oncoming traffic, my first thought is that something went very wrong. Many people might assume that icy roads and blowing snow make this an unavoidable accident, but in my experience, crashes like this are rarely just about the weather. The real question is whether the truck driver and his employer took the right precautions given the conditions.

Jackknifing typically happens when a truck loses traction, causing the trailer to swing out of control. While ice and snow can make roads more dangerous, experienced truck drivers know that adjusting their speed, braking carefully and maintaining proper following distances are key to preventing this kind of loss of control. A proper investigation should look at whether the driver was traveling at a safe speed for the conditions and whether his braking technique contributed to the jackknife.

Another important factor is the condition of the truck itself. Were the tires properly maintained? Were the brakes functioning as they should? I’ve litigated cases where poor maintenance — such as worn-out tires or improperly adjusted brakes — made it far more likely that a truck would lose control on slippery roads. If mechanical failures played a role here, then responsibility for this crash may extend beyond just the driver to the trucking company or maintenance provider.

It’s also worth considering whether the trucking company had policies in place to ensure their drivers knew when it was too dangerous to continue driving. Many companies push drivers to stay on the road even when conditions are hazardous, leading to preventable crashes. Investigators should examine company policies and the driver’s logs to see if they were under pressure to meet a schedule despite the weather.

At this point, it’s too early to say exactly what caused this crash, but it’s important not to write it off as “just bad weather.” While icy roads may have played a role, a thorough investigation should determine whether proper precautions were taken. If they weren’t, then this wasn’t just an unfortunate accident: it was a failure to prioritize safety, and that has serious consequences.