TRAVERSE CITY, MI : Plow crash remains under investigation on Sunday February 19th 2017

A Niles family's late-night drive was interrupted after a snowplow driver crashed into the side of their truck on a Kalkaska County highway.

Jory Kruck was driving south on US-131 Sunday at about 10 p.m. when she saw a Kalkaska County snowplow driver approach a flashing red light at the highway's intersection with Boardman and Supply roads.

The driver, Jeremy Larabee, didn't stop. He crashed into the Krucks' 2015 Chevy Silverado, in which Jory Kruck, her husband Erik Kruck, their 3-year-old son and their German shepherd were traveling home from a trip to her parents' house in Emmet County.

"I saw him coming across the intersection at us, so I tried my best to safely get us as much out of the way as I could," Jory Kruck said. "He t-boned us and totaled our truck and I was taken to the hospital by ambulance."

Deputies are still investigating the crash, said Kalkaska County Sheriff Patrick Whiteford. They are awaiting a report from Michigan Department of Transportation inspectors, who will determine whether a mechanical problem could have caused the plow to roll into the highway.

No one will be ticketed until the investigation is through, Whiteford said. He said he may call on the Kalkaska County prosecutor to determine what ticket or charge might be most appropriate.

"Initially it appears it would be the county road truck would most likely be at fault, but, again, we're making sure we have all the details, making sure there wasn't a mechanical malfunction of the county road truck before we say for sure," he said.

Larabee was patrolling his overnight route for the road commission during the crash, Kalkaska County Road Commission Manager John Rogers said. The warm Sunday temperatures that melted snow was dropping toward freezing — making a potentially dangerous situation for drivers.

"He was patrolling for black ice," Rogers said.

Larabee was uninjured. He is not suspended after the crash.

Jory Kruck is home after a Sunday night visit to the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, where she was treated for minor injuries. The family drove the remaining miles in a rented car and are awaiting their auto insurer's assessment of what will be covered after the crash.

"It was fortunate that we all made it out ok," Kruck said.

Source :
Plow crash remains under investigation