Ambulance Rollover Kills Patient in Sterling Heights Intersection Crash

The intersection of Van Dyke Avenue and Metropolitan Parkway in Sterling Heights became a scene of emergency chaos on Sunday, Oct. 25, when a black 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee collided with a southbound ambulance. The impact struck the right side of the Aspire Health System vehicle, which had its emergency lights and sirens active. The force of the crash caused the ambulance, carrying a patient and two crew members, to roll over before settling upright on the roadway.

A 36-year-old man from North Branch, who was being transported in the ambulance, was pronounced dead at a hospital following the accident. The initial police report indicated that one person was found unconscious at the scene, while several others sustained injuries. All individuals involved in the collision, with the exception of the ambulance driver, were transported to area medical facilities for treatment.

The crew member seated in the rear passenger area of the ambulance suffered moderate injuries and required hospitalization. The driver of the Jeep was also taken to a hospital, where his injuries were described as non-life-threatening. Police investigators noted that intoxication does not appear to have played a role in the cause of the crash. The incident remains under active investigation by the Sterling Heights Police Department.

The collision occurred during the afternoon hours, prompting a response from both police and fire crews to the busy arterial road. The Jeep driver proceeded through the intersection when the ambulance was passing. Witness testimony is being sought to help reconstruct the precise sequence of events leading up to the impact. The Traffic Safety Bureau is handling the case and has asked for community assistance in identifying witnesses.

Officer Porter with the Sterling Heights Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau is the primary contact for those with information regarding the crash. Residents who observed the accident or have video footage are encouraged to call 586-446-2920. The death of the North Branch man marks the fatal outcome of a high-speed emergency response collision in a densely populated suburban corridor.

The Aspire Health System ambulance was responding to a call when the collision occurred. The vehicle’s design, intended to withstand minor impacts, was overwhelmed by the lateral force from the Jeep’s passenger compartment impact. The patient’s family has been notified of the death. Traffic on Van Dyke Avenue was partially reduced during the cleanup and investigation phases on Sunday.

No charges have been filed in connection with the crash as of Monday morning. The investigation continues to gather evidence, including vehicle data and traffic camera footage. The Sterling Heights fire department assisted in extricating the injured parties from the overturned ambulance. The Jeep driver was released from the hospital after treatment, according to preliminary reports.