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MACKINAC COUNTY -- Bond has been set for a seasonal worker accused of causing a two-vehicle crash on the Mackinac Bridge early Wednesday that injured four people, two seriously, and forced the bridge to be temporarily closed.
Redane Smith, 28, of Jamaica, was arraigned Thursday in the 92nd District Court in St. Ignace on one felony count of reckless driving causing serious impairment of body function, according to Michigan State Police. Smith's bond was set at $100,000 cash/surety.
At about 2:55 a.m. Wednesday, troopers from the MSP St. Ignace Post were notified of the crash on the Mackinac Bridge. According to a news release, multiple vehicles had passed through the toll booths on southbound I-75 and then quickly accelerated. The crash reportedly occurred when one driver struck the rear of the other vehicle near an active construction area on the bridge where southbound traffic is restricted to a single lane.
All four injured were treated at a local hospital. The bridge had to be closed for hours to allow emergency personnel to reach the site and troopers to investigate.
Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash, according to the news release.
MSP said further investigation is being done into other individuals related to this incident who may have been operating vehicles recklessly on the bridge.
Agencies assisting MSP include the Mackinac Bridge Authority, Michigan Department of Transportation, Mackinac County Emergency Management, St. Ignace Police Department, Mackinaw City Police Department, Mackinac County Sheriff's Office, Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office, Straits Area EMS, St. Ignace Fire and Rescue, Chippewa County Dispatch and CCE Dispatch.
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Sophie Vogelmann of the Daily Press contributed to this report.