Aaron L. Heiss, 48, of Flat Rock, Michigan, was killed Monday morning when his Ford Escape crossed the center line on N. Telegraph Road in Frenchtown Township and struck another vehicle head-on, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash happened around 10:04 a.m. Aug. 24, 2026, northeast of Hurd Road. Investigators said Heiss was driving a gray 2010 Ford Escape southwest on N. Telegraph Road when he went across the center line while negotiating a curve.
His SUV then collided head-on with a red 2026 Cadillac OPTIQ. The impact left Heiss critically injured, and emergency crews responded to the scene. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Heiss was wearing his seat belt when the crash occurred. The airbags in his Ford Escape also deployed, authorities said.
The driver of the Cadillac, John C. Taylor, 83, of Monroe, was seriously injured in the collision. He was taken to Corewell Health Trenton Hospital for treatment.
Investigators said alcohol or drug intoxication was not a factor in the crash. The key question remains why Heiss crossed the center line as he traveled through the curve. Authorities have not said what caused him to lose control, and the investigation remains open.
The crash brought a sudden end to the life of a 48-year-old Flat Rock man and left another driver seriously hurt. For Heiss’ family and friends, the details of the crash offer little relief from the fact that a normal Monday morning ended with a devastating loss.
Authorities have not announced any additional factors that may have contributed to the collision. Investigators will continue working to determine exactly what happened in the moments before the two vehicles collided.
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