Tragic Crash on US-23 Claims Life of Pregnant Monroe County Woman and Her Unborn Child; Suspected Drunk Driver in Custody
Monroe County, MI — May 17, 2025 — A devastating crash on northbound US-23 in Monroe County late Saturday night has claimed the lives of a 32-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn child, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The driver who allegedly caused the crash is now in custody and facing multiple felony charges.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 10:01 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, just north of Consear Road in Whiteford Township. Authorities say Kaitlyn A. Ellison, 32, of Petersburg, Michigan, was driving her red Ford Escape in the right lane when her vehicle was struck by a white Chrysler 300, driven by a 24-year-old man from Oregon, Ohio, who is suspected of being intoxicated at the time.
Reckless Driving and Catastrophic Impact
Witnesses told investigators that the Chrysler 300 was seen weaving through traffic at a high rate of speed, passing vehicles on the right shoulder of the highway just prior to the crash. According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect then abruptly merged back into the right lane, attempting to pass Ellison’s vehicle on the left — but instead sideswiped it.
The impact forced the Ford Escape off the road, where it struck an embankment and rolled several times before finally coming to rest on its right side. Kaitlyn Ellison, who was seven months pregnant, was trapped inside her mangled SUV.
Emergency Response and Tragic Outcome
The Whiteford Township Fire Department responded to the scene and used emergency tools to extricate Ellison from the wreckage. She was transported by Monroe Community Ambulance to Toledo Hospital, but despite the efforts of medical personnel, both Ellison and her unborn child were pronounced dead.
The tragedy has left family, friends, and the broader Monroe County community in mourning. Loved ones describe Ellison as a vibrant and compassionate individual, eagerly anticipating the birth of her child. Her death has sparked an outpouring of grief and calls for increased accountability for reckless and impaired drivers.
Suspect Flees Scene, Later Captured
In the aftermath of the collision, the driver of the Chrysler 300 reportedly fled the scene on foot. A coordinated search effort was quickly launched, involving K9 units and drone teams from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies located the suspect at a nearby Pilot Gas Station on US-223, where he was arrested without incident.
He was transported to the Monroe County Jail and is facing two counts of Second Degree Homicide and two counts of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) Causing Death. Officials have withheld the suspect’s name pending his formal arraignment.
Ongoing Investigation
The crash remains under active investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Crash Investigation Team. They are working closely with Michigan State Police and other supporting agencies to reconstruct the events leading up to the fatal collision.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the crash — including witnesses who may have seen the white Chrysler 300 prior to the crash — to contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at (734) 240-7548 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SpeakUp.
Community Shocked and Heartbroken
The incident has sent shockwaves through Monroe County and surrounding areas, where residents are grappling with the tragic loss of a young woman and her unborn child due to an entirely preventable act of alleged drunk driving.
“This kind of senseless loss should never happen,” said one local resident who came to place flowers at the scene Sunday afternoon. “Two lives gone in an instant because someone made the selfish choice to drink and drive.”
As the investigation continues, officials hope that this heartbreaking case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired and reckless driving — and the irreversible consequences that can result.
A memorial vigil is expected to be announced by Ellison’s family in the coming days. Community members are encouraged to come together in support, as Monroe County collectively mourns this unimaginable loss.