Delta County, MI — November 17, 2025, one person was killed in a delivery truck accident at about 4 p.m. on Country 511 W.5 Road near Alton.

Authorities said a pickup was heading south when it was hit by a delivery truck at the intersection with 24th Road.

The pickup driver, a 51-year-old Munising man, died from injuries suffered in the Masonville Township crash, according to authorities. His name has not been made public yet.

The delivery truck driver was treated for minor injuries, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Delta County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash like this makes the news, where a delivery truck strikes a pickup at an intersection and someone loses their life, it’s only natural to ask: How did this happen? And maybe more importantly, are we getting the full story?

Right now, a few key facts have been made public: the crash happened at a rural intersection, the delivery truck hit the pickup, and the pickup driver didn’t survive. But we don’t yet know what led up to that moment of impact. Depending on how the vehicles approached the intersection, different questions arise. Was one of them supposed to yield or stop? Did either driver fail to follow traffic controls, or were there even any posted at that location?

We also don’t know whether the delivery truck was traveling too fast for conditions, if the driver was distracted or if there was any issue with visibility. These are all possibilities that could shift how we understand the crash, but they remain unanswered questions until investigators do the work to uncover the truth.

From a legal standpoint, the first step in understanding a crash like this is to gather all available evidence. That includes black box data from the truck, which can show how fast it was going, whether the brakes were applied and what the driver was doing in the seconds before the crash. Cell phone records and dash cam footage, if available, can offer further insight into whether the driver was distracted or paying attention. In-cab cameras, which many commercial trucks now carry, can be especially helpful in showing whether the driver was alert and focused on the road.

Then there’s the delivery company’s role. Was the driver properly trained? Had the company reviewed their driving record before hiring them? Were they on a tight delivery schedule that may have pressured them to take risks? These aren’t just theoretical concerns. I’ve handled cases where a trucking company hired someone who had no business behind the wheel, and the result was a preventable fatal crash.

Until we get those answers, it’s too early to point fingers. But it’s not too early to say this: getting to the bottom of what happened isn’t just about assigning blame. It’s about accountability. And that only comes from a thorough, independent investigation.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s unclear from current reports how the vehicles entered the intersection or who had the right of way.
• Crucial evidence — like black box data, dash cams and cell phone records — may shed light on the delivery truck driver’s actions.
• Investigators should also examine the delivery company’s hiring and training practices.
• Legal accountability depends on the full story, not just what’s in the police report.
• Independent investigation is essential to determine whether this crash was preventable.