MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP (WKZO) — An early evening collision between a semi and an SUV in Barry County has left a Battle Creek woman dead. State Police Sgt. Dale Lynema says that 24-year-old Rhandi Philo was northbound on M-66 approaching Nashville around 6:30 Wednesday evening when she drifted over the centerline, into the path of a southbound semi tractor trailer rig. .
The road is a slow curve along that stretch of the highway.
The semi-driver attempted to take evasive action.
The SUV struck the fuel tanks of the big rig, which jack-knifed in the ditch.
The SUV began flipping, ejecting the young driver. Philo was pronounced dead at the scene.
The roadway was closed for over 6 hours for the investigation and to clean up the wreckage.
They will run blood tests and do a cell phone check to determine if it was distracted driving.
