Fatal Accident Involving Combine a Reminder to Watch for Large Farm Equipment

LANSING, Michigan, Oct. 19 -- The Michigan Agri-Business Association issued the following news release:

A crash in rural Tawas Township Wednesday night that left a 30-year-old woman dead is a stark reminder for drivers to watch for large farm equipment as farmers throughout the state wrap up harvest.

According to the Michigan State Police, 30-year-old Allison Mitchell died after rear-ending a combine. State police believe she was texting while driving.

"Distracted driving has quickly become one of the leading causes of traffic crashes and fatalities," said Dyck Van Koevering, general counsel of the Insurance Alliance of Michigan. "Many of these accidents are avoidable, as long as drivers stay off their phones and pay attention to the road. There's no text message more valuable than your life and the lives of other drivers on the roadway."

"Farmers are traveling from field to field during the early morning hours and well into the night as they wrap up the 2018 harvest, making it especially important for drivers to keep their eyes peeled for large farm equipment," said Jim Byrum, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. "These vehicles don't move very fast, so they can come up on you quickly, especially if you're not paying close attention."

Last year in Michigan, 84 people were hurt and one person was killed in vehicle crashes involving farm equipment.