2 motorcyclists critically injured after chain reaction crash

TUSCOLA COUNTY, Mich. (WJRT) - Two motorcyclists were airlifted to area hospitals in critical condition after a chain reaction crash Wednesday, which police say was caused by a driver distracted by a cell phone.

The crash was reported around 3:40 p.m. at the intersection of M-46 and South Ringle Road in Tuscola County’s Juniata Township.

Michigan State Police say a 68-year-old man from Vassar was driving a small red car east on M-46 and stopped to make a left turn onto Ringle Road. A 22-year-old woman from Mayville also driving a car east on M-46 hit the Vassar man from behind, pushing his car into the oncoming lane.

The Vassar man’s car collided head-on with the motorcycle heading west on M-46. A 36-year-old man from Saginaw and a 35-year-old woman from Flint were thrown off the motorcycle and airlifted to Ascension St. Mary’s and Covenant HealthCare hospitals in Saginaw for emergency treatment.

Both were listed in critical condition on Wednesday evening. The Vassar man and Mayville woman both were treated and released with minor injuries on the scene.

Michigan State Police believe the Mayville woman may have been distracted by her cell phone behind she rear-ended the Vassar man’s car. The crash remained under investigation on Thursday.