What Happened
A 26-year-old Union City woman died Friday night when the all-terrain vehicle she was operating left Sullivan Road and struck a tree in Union Township, Branch County, according to the Michigan State Police Marshall Post. Troopers were called to Sullivan Road near Braucker Road at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14.
State police said the woman was riding west on Sullivan Road and lost control of the ATV after passing another vehicle, WILX reported. The ATV left the roadway and struck a tree. First responders from the Union City Fire Department and LifeCare EMS performed life-saving measures at the scene, but troopers said those efforts were not successful and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
The woman, whose name was not released pending family notification, was not wearing a helmet, according to state police. Investigators said alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor in the crash, WWMT reported.
Reporting: WILX News 10, WWMT Newschannel 3 and CBS News Detroit, with information from the Michigan State Police Marshall Post.
The Investigation: What Happens Next
The Michigan State Police Marshall Post is handling the investigation. Troopers said the crash remains under review, with no additional information released as of the most recent reporting. In fatal ATV crashes, investigators typically document the machine’s path, the roadway surface and the point of impact, and await toxicology results — which can take several weeks — before finalizing conclusions about contributing factors.
Because the crash involved an off-road vehicle operating on a public roadway, the review may also examine how and where ATVs are permitted to ride in Branch County, and whether the passing maneuver described by police played a role in the loss of control.
The Legal Picture
This was a single-rider crash, and out of respect for the woman and her family we note only general information about how Michigan law treats ATV crashes.
Are ATVs allowed on Michigan roads? Michigan generally restricts ORV and ATV operation on public roadways, though many counties — including much of rural southern Michigan — permit ORVs on the far right of certain county roads at limited speeds, subject to local ordinance. Helmets are required by state law for most ORV operation, with limited exceptions.
How does insurance work in an ATV crash? ATVs are not covered by Michigan’s auto no-fault system in the way cars and trucks are, which can significantly change what benefits are available after a serious crash. Families navigating a fatal crash can find general information about Michigan crash claims in our no-fault insurance guide.
Nothing in this report should be read as assigning fault. The investigation is ongoing, and our condolences are with the woman’s family and the Union City community.
This Stretch of Road
Sullivan Road is a rural east–west road in Union Township in northwestern Branch County, between Union City and Sherwood. Like most roads in this corner of the county, it is narrow, unlit and bordered closely by trees and field edges — surroundings that are unforgiving when any vehicle, and especially an open ATV, leaves the travel lane at speed.
Southern Michigan sees a cluster of serious ORV crashes each summer as recreational riding peaks. State data consistently show that riding after dark, riding without a helmet and alcohol involvement are the three factors most often present in fatal ATV crashes on or near public roads.
If You Saw This Crash
Troopers have not publicly identified the vehicle the ATV passed before the crash. Anyone who was driving on Sullivan Road near Braucker Road around 9:00 p.m. Friday, who witnessed the ATV riding in the area, or who has other information can contact the Michigan State Police Marshall Post.
- Woman killed in ATV crash in Branch County — WILX News 10
- Woman died after crashing ATV into a tree in Branch County, alcohol may be factor — WWMT Newschannel 3
- Woman killed in ATV crash in southern Michigan, law enforcement says — CBS News Detroit
- Union City woman dies in ATV crash — WTVB
About TruckCrash News: TruckCrash News publishes daily coverage of significant traffic crashes across Michigan, with a focus on commercial vehicle safety. Our reports are compiled from official statements by law enforcement and fire agencies and from reporting by Michigan news outlets, which are credited and linked in every story.
Disclaimer: This article is a news report based on information available at the time of publication. Details may change as agencies release updated information. Nothing in this report is intended to assign fault or legal responsibility to any person, and nothing on this page is legal advice.