By TruckCrash News Desk · Published July 23, 2026 · Updated if authorities revise details
What Happened
A UTV driver was killed and a passenger was injured in a crash near the intersection of County Road 577 and Birch Creek No. 6 Road in Menominee Township on Tuesday evening, according to the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office, as reported by TV6 (uppermichiganssource.com). Our condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the person who died.
Deputies were alerted to the crash at about 7:52 p.m. Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said. The UTV was found south of the intersection, and one person had been ejected from the vehicle, per TV6’s report. The driver was declared dead at the scene. The passenger was transported to a hospital for care; their condition has not been released.
The sheriff’s office said speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. A large number of agencies responded, including the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Menominee Police Department, the Menominee-Ingallston Volunteer Fire Department, Bay Area Paramedics, and the Marinette County Medical Examiner’s Office. Reporting: TV6/uppermichiganssource.com, with information from the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office.
The Investigation: What Happens Next
The Menominee County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance from responding agencies, and the Marinette County Medical Examiner’s Office is involved as is standard in fatal crashes. Investigators in single-vehicle UTV crashes typically document the roadway and shoulder where the vehicle left its path, the vehicle’s condition, and restraint use, and they await toxicology results before finalizing conclusions.
Authorities have asked anyone with information to come forward as they piece together the sequence of events. No final determinations have been announced.
The Legal Picture
Out of respect for the family, and because this crash took a life, this section is limited to general safety information rather than questions of responsibility. Nothing here speculates about the actions of anyone involved.
UTVs and other off-road vehicles are increasingly common on and along Michigan county roads, and state law allows local ORV ordinances that open certain roads to them at limited speeds. Because these vehicles offer less protection than cars — no enclosed cabin, and rollover risk on hard surfaces — safety agencies consistently emphasize seat belts and helmets, lower speeds on gravel and pavement, and never operating after drinking. Michigan’s no-fault insurance system also treats off-road vehicles differently from cars, which can affect what benefits are available after a crash — families navigating that aftermath can find general information in our resources.
Nothing in this section is a statement about fault in this crash. The investigation is ongoing, and conclusions belong to the investigating agencies.
This Stretch of Road
County Road 577 runs through rural Menominee Township in Michigan’s far southwestern Upper Peninsula, north of the city of Menominee. The area around the Birch Creek No. 6 Road intersection is lightly traveled countryside where off-road vehicles are a regular part of local traffic, particularly on summer evenings.
Summer is the peak season for off-road vehicle riding across the Upper Peninsula, and with it comes the annual rise in serious ORV crashes that sheriffs’ offices across the region respond to. Unlike highway collisions, these crashes often happen on gravel shoulders, seasonal roads, and trail connectors, where uneven surfaces and loose material can unsettle a machine quickly at speed — one reason investigators pay close attention to the exact surface and path of travel in a crash like this one.
If You Saw This Crash
The Menominee County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information about the crash to call (906) 863-4441, or to submit a tip anonymously through the Crime Stoppers of Marinette and Menominee County Facebook page or mobile tip app.
About TruckCrash News. TruckCrash News tracks and reports on truck and traffic crashes across Michigan every day, so that families, commuters, and safety advocates can see what is happening on our roads. Coverage is compiled from official releases and credible local reporting, and stories are corrected if authorities revise their accounts.
Informational content only — not legal advice and not a solicitation. This article reports publicly available information and does not create an attorney-client relationship.