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LANSING TWP. – An 89-year-old East Lansing man died Monday morning in a fatal crash along U.S. 127, north of East Saginaw Street, according to township officers.

His 86-year-old wife was transported to Sparrow Hospital and was listed in critical condition Monday evening.

The northbound vehicle skidded across the median and up an embankment along the southbound lanes. Lansing Township Police Chief Kay Hoffman said the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

“It’s very tragic,” Hoffman said. “We don’t really know why he crossed the median. We have no clue. It could have been a variety of reasons. It’s possible somebody cut him off. We really don’t know at this point. Certainly, we’re looking at the witness statements.”

She did not release the names the husband and wife.

Hoffman said the crash happened at 11:43 a.m., when their 2000 silver Buick four-door vehicle skidded across the median, traffic lanes and up an embankment near the East Grand River Avenue overpass.

It appears the man and his wife were wearing seat belts. However, the vehicle then dropped to the pavement and rolled onto the roof.

Neither alcohol or speed appear to be factors. The nearby Michigan State Police and Lansing police agencies assisted. The crash remains under investigation.

“It’s fortunate that they didn’t hit a southbound vehicle,” Hoffman said. “That time of day … traffic is pretty steady there. It’s pretty amazing (that) there wasn’t a second vehicle involved.”