Authorities in Monroe County are investigating a tragic two-vehicle crash that claimed the life of 19-year-old Abbigal Garbers and left another driver critically injured. The incident occurred on Monday evening around 5:28 p.m. along South Telegraph Road (U.S. 24) near West Stein Road in LaSalle Township, just south of Monroe. Emergency crews responded swiftly, but the crash has left the community in shock as investigators work to piece together the details.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Garbers, from Morenci in Lenawee County, was traveling northbound in a 2010 Toyota Corolla when, for reasons still under investigation, her vehicle crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a 2015 Hyundai Sonata driven by 35-year-old Palmer G. Merkel of Temperance. The collision caused severe damage to both vehicles and left debris scattered across multiple lanes of the roadway.
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Despite the quick arrival of emergency responders, Garbers was pronounced dead at ProMedica Toledo Hospital after being transported in critical condition. Merkel, who was also critically injured, was taken to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, where he remains in serious condition. Both drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, though the severity of the collision resulted in catastrophic injuries despite the safety measures.
The crash prompted a large-scale response from local agencies, including the LaSalle Township Volunteer Fire Department, Monroe Community Ambulance, and members of the Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Program and Victim Services Unit. Their efforts included providing medical aid, managing traffic, and securing the scene during the extended road closure.
Investigators are exploring driver inattention as a potential factor in the collision, though the inquiry remains ongoing. Deputies are reviewing physical evidence, vehicle data, and witness statements to understand the events leading up to the crash. The Sheriff’s Office has requested the public’s assistance in providing any information that may help clarify the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. Tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Michigan or directly to the Traffic Services Division at 734-240-7548.
As the investigation continues, the families of both drivers are grappling with the emotional toll of the tragedy. Authorities urge the community to keep them in their thoughts as they navigate this heartbreaking time.