#Mdot traffic i75 driver

Out of a total of 16 car accidents on that same stretch of roadway, eight involved wet roads causing cars to lose control.Ī pattern that started after the Michigan Department of Transportation completed that phase of the I-75 Modernization Project, which Ven Johnson, the attorney now representing both families, says has a major defect. but also several other crashes they have noticed, since the concrete was newly poured.'įOX 2 obtained the traffic crash reports from 2021, specifically for the section of southbound I-75, south of Adams near Coolidge. In the revised case report, the investigator claims, in early July, he 'reported the crash area to MDOT and requested they look into any errors or issues with the concrete that may have contributed to specifically - the loss of control of the two vehicles….in this crash. 'He had issues in the past and as a matter of fact, there was an accident later that day in that location.' 'He had notified MDOT there are problems with that road right there,' Ponce said. 'But when you hear something like that you think ok, maybe it probably could have been avoided.'įrom Troy police officers, who responded, to the tow truck drivers, who hauled away their son’s car, Ponce and Tracie Esparza of Saginaw Township, say they were told there have been several accidents in the same stretch of I-75 where their son was killed. 'You try to think all along it was an honest accident and couldn’t be avoided,' said Tracie Esparza. 'You try to deal with what is going on and that comes up – again your heart goes into your stomach,' Esparza said. He spent decades handling traffic and safety for MDOT – most recently as the transportation maintence coordinator in The Bay Region. 'Water shouldn’t have been on the road – water shouldn’t be on the road ever,' said Ponce Esparza.Įsparza is someone you can consider an expert on the subject.įor the last 45 years, he’s worked for the Michigan Department of Transportation. One witness even told investigators the van looked like 'it was sliding on ice.' The final case report revealed, both vehicles that lost control 'were driving below the 70 miles an hour speed limit, although road conditions were wet. 'When he left I told him 'I love you' and I said to 'Please stay safe in all this rain,'' Susan said.Īccording to the initial crash report – the road surface was wet because of the heavy rain and as FOX 2 has now learned – may have played a role in the deadly double crash. The older man, who survived, was able to jump out of the way in time.

#Mdot traffic i75 driver

Just as Alec and another man, who also stopped to help, was about to free Tim through his passenger door, the crash report shows a driver of a full-size van lost control and slammed into all three men - killing Tim and Alec. If you can hold that open, that would be great.' Timothy Pontzer: 'Yeah, I think I can (inaudible). 'And then, to have what happened to them, too.'ĭispatcher: 'Are you able to pull yourself up and out?' 'Total strangers to come and try to help someone they saw in need,' said Susan.

Without hesitation, 25-year-old Alec Esparza stopped to help someone in need, an act he was known for.Īlec recently became a living kidney donor and was on his way to Washington DC following his passion for politics and protecting the environment. Timothy Pontzer: 'Yes I am, I can't really get out to be honest.'Īccording to the Troy crash report, Tim was alive, not even hurt – just trapped. Timothy Pontzer: 'It is on the driver's side, I am okay.'ĭispatcher: 'Are you still inside the car?' I can't really get out of the vehicle.'ĭispatcher: 'Is the car on it's roof, on it's side?' Timothy Pontzer 'I am okay, the vehicle does appear to be leaking gasoline, I can see it out my windshield. On the 911 call: Timothy Pontzer said, 'I just rolled over my vehicle on 75, I'm, actually out of the lane, I'm on the left side.' He was on his way to a client meeting when the 27-year-old lost control of his car on southbound I-75 near Adams in Troy - and became pinned against the center cement barrier. Tim recently found a new career passion – working for a Royal Oak marketing firm. 'He was the Wikipedia of just about everything sports, it was a passion,' Jim said.