SHERMAN Twp. – James Douglas Lalone, 31, Hale, was issued a careless driving citation by the Iosco County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO), after he collided with a U.S. Postal Service mail truck.
Lalone was reported to have sustained possible injuries, while the other driver – Barbara Ruth Stoley, 64, Oscoda – experienced incapacitating injuries. Each were taken to the hospital by ambulance for treatment.
According to the ICSO, the incident occurred on Townline Road, near Chambers Road in Sherman Township, on the afternoon of Dec. 17.
Authorities state that an ICSO deputy and a Michigan State Police trooper arrived on scene and observed a Chevrolet Silverado, which appeared to have rear-ended a mail truck.
Police note that Lalone approached the deputy and said he hit the mail truck, after which he helped the woman exit the vehicle.
The deputy reported that Stoley was visibly injured and had blood coming from her head and ear, as well as significant bruising and swelling to the entire right side of her face and right eye.
When asked what took place, Lalone told police that he saw the yellow strobes of the mail truck from a ways back and, as he approached, he didn’t get over far enough and ended up striking the mail truck.
According to authorities, Stoley said she had just delivered mail, saw a vehicle approaching and had crossed over the white line to the right.
The ICSO reports that Stoley was wearing a seat belt but her vehicle was not equipped with an airbag; therefore, she struck her head on the steering wheel.
Each of the vehicles experienced disabling damage and required a tow from the crash site.
Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected as contributing factors to the incident.