A harrowing two-day search for a missing woman who had been in a car crash came to a successful end when she was found alive and rescued thanks to the efforts of Michigan State Police (MSP) and their dedicated K-9 partner, Woodson.
Police initially responded to reports of a car accident on August 6 involving a 45-year-old woman.
According to authorities, the woman crashed her vehicle into a tree on her property in Livingston County, located roughly 55 miles northwest of Detroit.
Following the impact, family members were unable to locate her, prompting them to call the authorities. A massive search operation was initiated, spanning over 200 acres, as rescue teams combed the area to locate the missing woman.
With every passing hour, the urgency of the situation grew, pushing both ground and air crews to their limits.
The search operation involved a joint effort between MSP troopers, Livingston County Sheriff’s Department deputies and personnel from Livingston County EMS, the Hamburg Township Police Department, and the Hartland and Green Oak Fire Departments.
The agencies utilized an extensive range of resources in their search, including K-9s, drones and ATVs.
A critical breakthrough in the search took place days later on August 8, thanks to the work of K-9 officer Trooper Jeff Schrieber and his partner, Woodson, from the Brighton Post.
According to police, Woodson’s remarkable sense of smell and tracking skills led them to the missing woman, who was found lying in a cornfield, approximately three-quarters of a mile away from the initial crash site.
State police reported that the woman was discovered with injuries that appeared to be a result of the crash, leaving her unable to move. The situation took a dramatic turn as a severe storm descended upon the area, accompanied by lightning and torrential rainfall.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, the determined troopers, including those from the Brighton Post, continued their mission to save the injured woman.
“The subject was found lying on the ground with injuries that appeared to be suffered from the crash, and she unable to move,” the MSP wrote in an official press release. “While waiting for help to arrive, a large storm came into the area, bringing with it lightning and a severe downpour.”
Guided by GPS, the rescue team was able to carry the injured woman several hundred yards through cornfields and woods to a waiting ambulance. The injured woman was subsequently transported to Genesis Hospital for treatment. While initially listed in critical condition, her status has since been upgraded to stable.
According to the sheriff’s office, the woman was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The crash is still being investigated to determine whether drugs or alcohol may have been at play.
