Police suspect drugs after semi truck hits man mowing grass along Michigan highway

COLDWATER, Mich. – A 46-year-old man was airlifted to a Kalamazoo hospital after a semi truck struck his mowing tractor on the side of a Michigan highway.

Authorities believe drugs may have played a role in the crash.

It happened just after noon, Thursday, May 4, on I-69 near the Newton Road Bridge in Coldwater. Police said the man was operating a tractor to mow grass along the freeway when a southbound semi truck struck the vehicle.

The man mowing the grass was airlifted to Beacon Hospital in Kalamazoo with serious injuries, while the semi truck driver was taken to a hospital in Battle Creek for observation.

The southbound lanes of I-69 were closed for nearly nine hours while police investigated.

While police believe drugs may have been a factor, they said additional follow-up is needed and the investigation is ongoing.