Two Delta County residents were killed Monday when the ambulance they were in rear-ended a tractor-trailer on U.S. 41 near M-94 in Skandia Township.

The Rampart EMS ambulance — carrying a driver, two crewmembers and a patient — was traveling northbound at a high rate of speed on an emergency transport from OSF St. Francis Hospital to Marquette General Hospital when it hit the tractor-trailer driven by Ronald Constantino, 67, according to the Michigan State Police.

The patient, Carrie Roberts, 38 of Escanaba, and crewmember Lisa Hansen, 32, of Cornell, died at the scene. Driver Natalia Jauquet, 25, and crewmember Ryan Peterson, 29, of Bark River, were transported to MGH for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. Peterson was treated and released this morning while Jauquet’s condition is not being released. Constantino was not injured in the accident.

Police said they are unsure how the ambulance hit the tractor-trailer, owned by Kanerva Forest Products. The rig was stopped on the northbound shoulder of U.S. 41 waiting for traffic to clear before attempting a wide right turn into a private driveway. There was no evidence of braking or loss of directional control immediately prior to the crash, police said.

OSF representatives said Roberts was being transferred to MGH in serious condition and Hansen was needed during the transfer due to the level of care Roberts required.

Hansen had worked for OSF since 1996 as an emergency nurse and is survived by her husband Scott and three children.

“It’s devastating for our staff and even more devastating for the hospital staff,” said Venetia Bryers, spokeswoman for Rampart EMS. She said an accident like this is unprecedented for Rampart. “Our hearts go out to Lisa’s family and to the family of the patient.”

The highway was closed for more than four hours because of the accident, which remains under investigation.

State Police troopers were assisted at the scene by Marquette General EMS, Medi-Ride, Skandia-West Branch Township Fire and First Responders, Forsyth Township Police Department, Marquette County Sheriff’s Department and Marquette County Road Commission.

Video Report

Rampart EMS, Michigan