Michigan County Executive Seriously Injured in Car Accident

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson was seriously injured in a traffic collision Friday after his car was struck at an intersection.

Patterson, 73, suffered injury to his scalp, two broken wrists, and a broken leg, but he is expected to recover. Hospital staff said he was alert and responsive when he arrived at the hospital.

The accident happened around 4 p.m. Friday in Auburn Hills. Patterson and his driver, who was also seriously injured, was traveling eastbound on Walton Boulevard in the right lane as they proceeded through a green light when Volkswagen Passat slammed into their vehicle.  

According to Auburn Hills Deputy Director Tom Hedesty, the Passat  turned from the westbound lanes of Walton Boulevard on a yellow turn signal onto southbound Opdyke Rd. in front of the Patterson’s vehicle.

The 42 year-old driver of the Passat and his passenger also suffered serious injury, but will reover.

Police said the weather was clear. No one has been issued citation for the accident.

Traffic signals can be a particularly dangerous. Recently, New Jersey police released a video of a terrible crash which occurred at a heavily traveled intersection. In haste, drivers sometimes run red lights or rush through intersections without watching oncoming traffic.

When negligent drivers send people to the hospital or even worse cause a fatality, they should be held accountable for their reckless actions. Accident attorneys work on behalf of personal injury or wrongful death victims so they can get the money they deserve for their suffering.