Bruce Township crash leaves 2 dead

Two elderly men died Thursday evening when their van rear-ended another vehicle on M-53 in Bruce Township, according to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.

Shelby Township resident Donald Lawrence, 79, was pronounced dead at the scene around 7:10 p.m. just north of 33 Mile, officials said. His passenger, 80-year-old Armada resident Edwin Kriewall, was seriously injured and rushed by ambulance to Henry Ford Hospital, where he later died.

Preliminary investigation into the crash revealed that Lawrence drove a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country into the back of a 1997 Chevrolet conversion van driven by a 27-year-old Almont man. The younger man was stopped in traffic when the crash occurred.

The impact forced both vehicles to leave the roadway and caused the conversion van to roll onto its side. The younger driver received minor injuries and has been released from the hospital.

Traffic on M-53 temporarily was diverted while the crash was investigated. The road fully reopened by 1 a.m.

Witnesses to the crash are asked to call the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office at (586) 307-9412.

HFournier@detroitnews.com

(313) 223-4616

@HollyPFournier