ATV Crash in Pontiac Leaves One Dead
An ATV crash in Pontiac leaves one dead and another seriously injured after a collision involving an SUV at a city intersection. The tragic accident occurred around 4:55 p.m. on Sunday at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Melrose Avenue, according to a report by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim has been identified as 25-year-old Anthony Thomas Cowgill of Flat Rock. Cowgill was operating a 1987 Yamaha 30 all-terrain vehicle (ATV) eastbound on Pennsylvania Avenue. Riding with him was a 31-year-old woman from Macon, Georgia, who sustained serious injuries in the crash. Authorities noted that the ATV involved was not street-legal and therefore not permitted to be operated on public roads.
At the time of the incident, a 37-year-old woman from Pontiac was driving a GMC Terrain northbound on Melrose Avenue. According to deputies, Cowgill allegedly ran a stop sign at the intersection and collided with the oncoming GMC. The SUV driver, who was properly restrained with a seat belt, was fortunately unharmed.
In a public statement, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard emphasized the dangers of operating unauthorized vehicles on public roads:
“An individual illegally operating an ATV lost his life, and his passenger was seriously injured. Incidents like this underscore the importance of safety and proper equipment use to help avoid such heartbreaking outcomes.”
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Crash Reconstruction Unit is actively investigating the incident to determine all contributing factors. Toxicology reports, speed analysis, and road conditions will be reviewed as part of the ongoing probe.
Understanding Compensation After an ATV Accident
When an accident like this occurs, victims and their families may be entitled to significant compensation. This includes reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical treatment, and wrongful death claims in cases involving fatalities. Passengers, even if riding on unauthorized vehicles, may still have legal grounds to pursue compensation depending on the circumstances of the crash.
In this particular incident, the injured passenger from Georgia may have a viable personal injury claim, while the family of the deceased ATV operator could explore wrongful death benefits under Michigan law. However, determining liability and navigating these claims can be complex, especially when the vehicle involved wasn’t legal for roadway use.
How Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC Can Help
At Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC, we understand the emotional and financial toll a sudden accident brings. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have helped countless victims and their families in Michigan secure the compensation they deserve. We take the time to investigate every detail, work with crash reconstruction experts, and handle communications with insurance companies—so our clients can focus on healing.
Call us for a free and confidential case evaluation. We are available by phone, text, and online chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Note: Our law office relies on external sources for the content of this post. Although we aim for accuracy, we have not independently verified all facts related to this incident. Please notify Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC for corrections if you identify any inaccuracies. Posts will be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: The content of this post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for business. The information contained herein is not intended to offer legal or medical advice. If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident, it is recommended to seek immediate medical assistance. The photo featured in this post was not taken at the actual scene of the accident.
Source: CBS
The map below shows the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue where the accident happened
