Crime & Safety
Grand Traverse County, MI Crash: Passenger Killed Saturday
Peninsula Township, MI – A passenger was killed and a driver hospitalized after a vehicle left a road and struck a tree Saturday morning in Grand Traverse County, authorities said.
By Miles Carter · 2026-10-03T21:34:03.462Z
Peninsula Township, MI – A passenger was killed and a driver hospitalized after a vehicle left a road and struck a tree Saturday morning in Grand Traverse County, authorities said.
According to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff ’s Office, Central Dispatch received a report of a single vehicle crash at approximately 7:49 a.m. Saturday on Center Road south of McKinley Road in Peninsula Township, near Traverse City.
Investigators said the vehicle had been traveling south on Center Road when it left the roadway and collided with a tree.
The driver was transported to Munson Medical Center with injuries authorities described as non life threatening. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials did not immediately release the identities of the driver or passenger.
Center Road was closed for approximately six hours as investigators worked at the crash scene, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Michigan State Police and its Crash Reconstruction Team assisted the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation. Peninsula Township Fire also responded.
The investigation remains open. The sheriff’s office said it believes speed and alcohol contributed to the crash. Authorities have not announced any charges in connection with the incident.
Anyone with information about the fatal crash is asked to contact Detective Wolbers at 231 995 5137 or by email at cwolbers@gtsheriff.org .