A missed stop sign led to a deadly chain of collisions Wednesday morning at a Fulton County intersection, killing a 28-year-old Michigan man and injuring two other drivers. Kurt Xavier Burgard died at the scene after his car entered U.S. Route 20 and was struck by an eastbound pickup truck before being hit again by a van traveling in the opposite direction.
The crash happened shortly before 7 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and County Road 23 in Gorham Township, according to the supplied account of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s preliminary findings.
Troopers said Burgard was traveling north on County Road 23 when his car failed to stop at the stop sign controlling traffic at U.S. Route 20. His vehicle entered the intersection and was struck by a pickup truck heading east along the highway. The pickup was driven by a 64-year-old man from Fayette, Ohio.
The collision sent the pickup truck off the roadway and into a nearby field, where it overturned. Burgard’s car was also thrown from its original path, ending up in the westbound lanes of U.S. Route 20. A van approaching from the opposite direction then struck his vehicle.
The van was being driven by a 47-year-old woman from Lyons, Ohio. After that second impact, Burgard’s car left the roadway and came to rest in a field. The two collisions left all three vehicles involved in the crash, with serious consequences for everyone at the intersection.
Burgard suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup truck driver sustained serious injuries and was transported to a Toledo hospital. The van driver suffered minor injuries and did not require hospital transportation, according to the available account.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Its preliminary explanation identifies Burgard’s failure to stop at the posted sign as the event that started the sequence of collisions. Authorities have not established any other contributing factors in the information provided.
The crash also prompted a reminder from the highway patrol about the importance of following traffic signs and checking for approaching vehicles before entering an intersection. A stop sign requires drivers to come to a complete stop and make sure the road is clear before proceeding. That precaution is especially important when crossing a highway where other vehicles may be moving at higher speeds.
Burgard’s death has left his family, friends, and other loved ones facing a painful loss. At just 28, his life was cut short in a crash that happened within moments but involved three vehicles and two other injured drivers. As troopers continue their investigation, the full circumstances surrounding the collision remain under review.