Rochester Hills Man Killed, Two Women Critically Injured in Head-On Crash [Oakland Township]

A 65-year-old Rochester Hills man was killed and two women were critically injured in a head-on collision on Rochester Road in Oakland Township early Friday morning, July 24, 2026. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash, which was reported by ClickOnDetroit Local 4 News.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred just after 5:45 a.m. on Rochester Road near Buell Road. The Rochester Hills man was traveling northbound in a 2022 Ford Escape when his vehicle crossed the center line into the southbound lane and struck a 2025 Subaru Outback head-on. The driver of the Subaru — a 49-year-old woman from Imlay City — and her passenger, a 56-year-old woman from Almont, both sustained severe injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital where they remain in critical condition. The Rochester Hills man sustained fatal injuries despite wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Investigators have said they do not believe the crash was caused by a medical emergency, though an autopsy will be conducted by the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation remains ongoing.

Rochester Road is a major north-south corridor through Oakland Township, carrying commuter and local traffic between Rochester Hills, Oxford, and Lake Orion. Although traffic volumes are often lighter during the early morning hours, head-on collisions on two-way roads can result in severe or fatal injuries.

What those involved may want to know.

When a vehicle crosses the center line and causes a head-on collision that kills the driver and critically injures two people in the struck vehicle, the legal questions depend on what the investigation and autopsy ultimately establish about the cause of the center-line departure.

For the two women critically injured in the Subaru, Michigan’s no-fault insurance system provides PIP benefits for medical expenses and wage loss regardless of fault. Whether additional claims against the estate of the other driver may be available for pain and suffering and other non-economic losses depends on the nature of the injuries and the findings of the investigation. An auto accident attorney can help identify applicable coverage and evaluate what liability claims may be available once the investigation concludes.

For the family of the Rochester Hills man who died, the circumstances of the crash, including what caused him to cross the center line, remain under investigation pending the autopsy results. Under Michigan’s wrongful death statute, MCL 600.2922, the personal representative of his estate may wish to consult with an attorney as the investigation develops and additional information becomes available.

If your family was affected by a crash in Oakland County or anywhere in the Metro Detroit area and you have questions about your legal options, our team may be able to help. We serve clients throughout Oakland Township, Oakland County, and the surrounding communities. To speak with a Michigan personal injury attorney, contact us today.

Source: ClickOnDetroit