GLADWIN COUNTY — A tragic three-vehicle collision at a rural intersection in Buckeye Township claimed the life of a 42-year-old Beaverton resident Monday afternoon, leaving two others injured and prompting an ongoing investigation by local authorities.
The crash occurred around 4:40 p.m. on March 23, 2026, at the intersection of West Howard Road and South River Road. According to officials, emergency responders arrived to find significant damage to all three vehicles involved in what investigators described as a chain-reaction collision.
Aaron B. Eagleson, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene after his vehicle was struck during the sequence of impacts. Authorities confirmed that he had been stopped on West Howard Road and was preparing to turn north onto South River Road when the crash unfolded.
Preliminary findings indicate that the incident began when an 86-year-old Beaverton woman driving a 2001 Buick LeSabre was traveling southbound on South River Road. Investigators reported that she failed to stop at a posted stop sign at the intersection. Her vehicle collided with a 2018 Ford F-250 pickup truck that was traveling westbound on West Howard Road.
The impact caused the 23-year-old driver of the Ford F-250 to lose control of the truck. The pickup then struck Eagleson’s 2017 Buick Encore, which was stationary at the time of the collision. The force of the secondary crash resulted in fatal injuries to Eagleson.
Both the driver of the Buick LeSabre and the driver of the Ford F-250 sustained injuries described as non-life-threatening. They were transported by My-Michigan Ambulance Service to nearby hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment. Personnel from the Gladwin Fire Department also assisted at the scene, providing emergency support and helping secure the area.
The intersection remained closed for several hours as authorities conducted a detailed crash reconstruction. An accident reconstruction specialist from the Michigan State Police assisted the Gladwin County Sheriff’s Office in examining the scene, documenting evidence, and analyzing vehicle positions to determine the precise sequence of events.
Lt. Chad Smith of the Gladwin County Sheriff’s Office stated that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the collision, though toxicology results and the full investigation are still pending. Officials emphasized that no final conclusions have been reached as the investigation remains active.
Community members were asked to keep the victim’s family in their thoughts during this difficult time. Law enforcement officials also urged the public to avoid sharing harmful or speculative comments on social media while the case is under review.
Upon completion of the investigation, the Gladwin County Sheriff’s Office will submit its findings to the Gladwin County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors will evaluate the evidence to determine whether any criminal charges are warranted in connection with the fatal crash.
Authorities continue to remind motorists to exercise caution at rural intersections, particularly those controlled by stop signs, and to remain attentive to surrounding traffic to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
