On Thursday evening, September 26, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., a devastating accident occurred at the intersection of Mt. Hope Highway and Cochran Road. The preliminary investigation by the Eaton County Sheriff's Office indicates that a westbound van failed to stop at the posted stop sign, entering the intersection where it was struck by a northbound semi-truck and trailer.
The driver of the van and two of her young children from the Lake Odessa area, lost their lives at the scene. A third child was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi-truck was also taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The Lake Odessa Fire Department identified those who died as Emily, Amalia and Shiloh Root, family members of a volunteer firefighter.
The Eaton County Sheriff's Office Accident Investigation Team is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Eaton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Michigan State Police, Grand Ledge Police, Roxand Twp Fire Department, Grand Ledge Fire Department and EMS, Delta Fire Department, Vermontville Fire Department, Benton Twp EMS, and U of M Sparrow Eaton Area EMS.
