KALAMAZOO, Mich. — September 3, 2026 — Gull Road was shut down in both directions near Elkerton Avenue Thursday afternoon following a reported fatal motorcycle accident, creating major traffic disruptions in the area and prompting a significant emergency response.
The closure was reported around 4:15 p.m., with motorists describing the crash scene as extremely serious. Emergency crews and law enforcement responded to the area as investigators worked to secure the roadway and determine the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Gull Road is a major route through Kalamazoo and forms part of M-343, which runs between Riverview Drive and Richland. The roadway also serves numerous residential areas, businesses and medical facilities, making a complete closure capable of causing substantial congestion and delays.
The crash also affected public transportation. Reports indicated that buses were being diverted around the incident, with a detour directing service from the Borgess/Beacon Hospital area toward Humphrey Street and East Main Street before reconnecting with Gull Road. Public transit information confirms that Gull Road and Elkerton Avenue are served by local bus routes.
Residents and motorists in the area were advised to avoid the crash scene and seek alternate routes while emergency personnel remained at the location. Some drivers reported using Nazareth Road to bypass the affected portion of Gull Road.
The exact circumstances of the motorcycle crash, including the identity of the person who died, whether another vehicle was involved and what may have contributed to the collision, had not been fully released in the information available.
Fatal crashes typically require investigators to conduct a detailed examination of the roadway and vehicles involved before the scene can be cleared. The road may therefore remain closed for an extended period while evidence is collected and emergency crews complete their work.
Authorities are expected to provide additional information as the investigation progresses.
For now, motorists should avoid Gull Road around Elkerton Avenue, allow additional travel time and follow posted detours and instructions from emergency personnel. The closure is expected to continue until investigators determine that the roadway is safe to reopen.
The incident has left the local community mourning a life lost and serves as another sobering reminder of the dangers faced by motorcyclists and other road users.