A motorist attempting to make a left turn from U.S. Highway 131 onto Broadway Road was struck by another vehicle Sunday morning, prompting one passenger to be taken to Three Rivers Hospital for minor injuries. Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded to the accident at approximately 8 a.m., according to a press release by Sheriff Mark A. Lillywhite.

A Chrysler minivan was northbound on U.S.-131 when its operator attempted to turn west onto Broadway Road. Recent reconstruction has resulted in left turns no longer being legal in either direction at most of the highway’s intersections near Three Rivers, including at Broadway Road. Direct left turns have been replaced with so-called “Michigan lefts” in which motorists must pass through an intersection, make a U-turn at a designated location, return to the intersection, and turn right.

The new arrangement has gone into effect in the last several weeks with new regulatory signage, and the change has confused some motorists. Several collisions have also resulted. Law enforcement entities have periodically monitored some of the intersections and issued citations for what are now illegal left turns.

The motorist that prompted Sunday’s crash was attempting to make such a newly illegal turn. The 80-year-old male driver from Middlebury, Indiana disobeyed a new “left turn prohibited” sign as well as a stop traffic signal, pulling out in front of a southbound Lincoln SUV driven by a 50-year-old Battle Creek man.

A female passenger in the Lincoln SUV was transported to Three Rivers hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, while a passenger in the Chrysler received treatment for minor injuries at the scene. The driver of the Chrysler minivan received a citation for the accident.

All involved drivers and passengers were wearing seatbelts, and Lillywhite said neither drugs, alcohol, nor speed “appeared to be a factor in the crash.” Deputies were assisted in their response by the Three Rivers and Fabius Township Fire Departments.

Dave Vago is a writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.