Monday fatal crash believed caused by distraction

Driver: Janice M. Merzweiler 69 years of age. Resident of St. Louis, Missouri
Passenger: Ronald R. Merzweiler 70 years of age. Resident of St. Louis, Missouri

On Monday, July 14, 2008 at 0919 hours Calhoun County Deputy Investigators were dispatched to a Personal Injury Accident located on I69 NB/Verona Road Overpass. The rollover accident involved one motor vehicle with two occupants. The male passenger was unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation has revealed at the time of the accident Janice Merzweiler was driving and her husband, Ronald Merzweiler was positioned in the right front passenger seat. The couple reside in St. Louis, Missouri and they were en route to a conference in Troy, Michigan. The Merzweilers were wearing their seatbelts. Speed and alcohol are not a factor in this case.

Janice Merzweiler stated she was traveling in the passing lane and became distracted momentarily as she attempted to reach down to pickup a water bottle from between the front seats of the minivan. Janice indicated she looked down briefly. Janice then refocused her attention back to the highway and realized her vehicle left the roadway. The vehicle began to travel onto the shoulder of the roadway towards the median and an orange construction sign. Janice attempted to correct, however, was unable to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle rolled several times in the median and then came to rest on its wheels.

Despite rapid emergency personnel response and medical treatment, Ronald Merzweiler died at the scene. Ronald Merzweiler was transported to Sparrow Hospital for an autopsy. Janice Merzweiler was transported to Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, MI for treatment of what is believed to be non life threatening injuries. The investigation will remain open pending the autopsy results.

The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Michigan State Police, Marshall Fire Fighter Ambulance Service, Marshall Township Fire Department and Michigan Department of Transportation.