GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- An 81-year-old woman is dead after her husband drove the wrong way on I-96 near Marne. The crash happened on Friday after a vehicle struck another vehicle head-on while driving the way on the highway.
FOX 17 has learned that the driver was never suppose to be behind the wheel.
The driver, 83-year-old Leslie Laymon had his license suspended indefinitely after a crash in April, and he had tried getting it back at least twice.
It's something the Michigan Secretary of State's Office said is always a struggle for elderly drivers to come to terms with, giving up a sense of independence when no longer fit to drive.
Leslie's 81-year-old wife Donna, who neighbors said suffered from dementia, was killed in the crash.
The Michigan Secretary of State's Office said that it receives an average of 400 driver re-evaluation requests a month.
Neighbors told FOX 17 that Leslie and Donna Laymon have lived at their Grand Rapids home for more than 40 years. Neighbors also said that they had discussed the issue of Leslie driving, and said that one neighbor even called the police, but were told law enforcement would have to witness him behind the wheel in order to do anything about it.
The secretary of state's office said that it's important for anyone who knows an aging driver to notify the right agency if you're concerned.
"We would always encourage family members or other loved ones of a possibly problematic driver to be aware of an individual if they are concerned. If they are concerned, they can send it in. We will keep these anonymous," said spokesperson Fred Woodhams.
