Tragedy on Gera Road: Lawn Mower Collision Claims Two Lives in Saginaw County

SAGINAW COUNTY, MI — A quiet Friday night turned tragic when a traffic crash in rural Saginaw County claimed the lives of two local residents. The fatal incident occurred around 10:15 p.m. on June 20, 2025, along the 12000 block of Gera Road, just outside the village limits. The Michigan State Police Tri-City Post is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the heartbreaking collision.

Preliminary findings indicate that a Ford F-150 pickup truck was traveling southbound when it struck a riding lawn mower that was attempting to cross the highway. The lawnmower, occupied by a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman—believed to be domestic partners who lived together nearby—entered the path of the oncoming pickup in the southbound lane. The impact was devastating.

Both occupants of the lawnmower were ejected as a result of the collision. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but tragically, both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel. Their names have not yet been publicly released, pending notification of family members.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 43-year-old man from Mount Morris, was physically unharmed in the crash. He remained at the scene and is said to be fully cooperating with investigators. Authorities have not indicated any suspicion of impairment or wrongdoing on the part of the truck driver at this time.

Michigan State Police troopers and crash reconstructionists worked late into the night to examine the scene and piece together the chain of events. Gera Road was temporarily closed to through traffic as officials documented tire marks, vehicle positions, and other critical evidence under the beam of floodlights.

Residents in the rural area expressed shock and sadness over the incident. While not a common occurrence, riding lawnmowers are occasionally used by locals to travel short distances in the area, especially between properties. However, such vehicles are not designed for public road use, particularly at night or in areas with fast-moving traffic.

“It’s just incredibly sad,” said one nearby neighbor. “They were a nice couple. Always waving when they passed by. To think a life can end like that—in an instant—is just hard to accept.”

State Police are expected to release more information in the coming days as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, the small community is mourning the sudden and tragic loss of two of its own.

Authorities remind the public that even rural roads can pose serious dangers and that any non-motorized or non-highway vehicles—such as ATVs, bicycles, or lawnmowers—should be used with extreme caution, particularly after dark. Visibility, speed differential, and lack of protective features make such situations especially hazardous.

No citations have been issued at this time. Autopsies are expected to be conducted, and toxicology tests are standard procedure in fatal crash investigations.

Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Tri-City Post of the Michigan State Police.