Shelby Township man dies day after Rochester Hills crash; sheriff says alcohol a factor

A 40-year-old Shelby Township man died the day after a crash on West Hamlin Road in Rochester Hills, and preliminary autopsy findings show alcohol use contributed to his death, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

The findings indicate the man's injuries from the crash were not the direct cause of death, CBS Detroit and C&G Newspapers reported. The sheriff's office has not released his name.

What deputies say happened

The crash happened about 6:16 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, on West Hamlin Road west of Crooks Road, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies said the Shelby Township man was driving a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee east on Hamlin when he failed to get around a 2025 Ram 1500 that was stopped in the eastbound through lane, and hit it.

The Ram's driver, a 43-year-old Commerce Township man, had minor injuries and was treated at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt, C&G reported.

The Jeep driver also appeared to have minor injuries. Deputies said he was conscious, alert and talking with first responders, and he was taken to a hospital. He was pronounced dead there at about 1:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9.

Autopsy and investigation

An autopsy was done the morning of Saturday, Oct. 10. The preliminary findings point to alcohol use as a contributing factor, according to the sheriff's office. The office has not said what caused the man's death.

Deputies said the Jeep driver may have been impaired by alcohol, and a blood sample was taken. It is not known whether he was wearing a seat belt, according to C&G.

The sheriff's office Crash Reconstruction Unit is still investigating.

This story uses reporting from C&G Newspapers and CBS Detroit and information from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.