Anthony Saferian, 58, of Metamora, was killed on the night of Nov. 8, the result of a crash at the intersection of N. Lapeer Road (M-24) and Plum Creek Road in Mayfield Township. Saferian was the owner/operator of SureGuard Roofing & Maintenance, 650 S. Lapeer Road in Oxford Township.

According to Det./Sgt. Jason Parks of the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Dept., sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 11:22 p.m. to a report of an injury crash at the intersection. Preliminary information was that a pickup truck rolled over onto the driver of the vehicle who was ejected.

Saferian was the driver and lone occupant of a 2017

Ford F-250 that was southbound on M-24. North of Plum Creek Road, southbound traffic encounters a roadway curvature to the right. Saferian failed to navigate the curve and continued straight in direction, crossed over the center turn lane and entered the northbound lane.

Saferian sideswiped (traveling in opposite directions) a northbound 2002 Chevrolet

Silverado driven by a 57-year-old Vassar man. This crash did not result in extensive damage or injuries.

Parks reported that Saferian continued south, went off the roadway (east side) and entered a ditch. His pickup traveled within the ditch for a period of time, and then turned sideways due to terrain. This resulted in the vehicle rolling over (side to side) multiple times.

The vehicle came to rest on the driver’s side against a DTE Energy utility pole, breaking the pole in the process. Saferian was ejected (not wearing a seat belt) from the vehicle while it was rolling. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

DTE Energy responded to secure the pole so overhead lines did not fall on investigators and rescue workers.

The roadway was closed for approximately three hours for rescue and investigative purposes. Lapeer County Sheriff’s Dept. deputies were assisted at the scene by officers from the Lapeer Police Dept.,

Michigan State Police (Lapeer Post), Lapeer Fire & Rescue, the Lapeer County Reconstruction Team, Lapeer County EMS, DTE Energy, the Lapeer County Road Commission, and Byers Wrecker Service.

Toxicology is pending to determine if either alcohol or drugs contributed to the fatal crash. The Lapeer County Reconstruction Team is conducting a collision analysis to determine if excessive speeds (50 mph speed limit) contributed to the crash.

The crash remains under investigation.