Menominee County Mourns Father and Toddler Killed in Tragic Crash with Tanker Truck
MENOMINEE COUNTY, MI — Heartbreak has gripped a Michigan family and the wider Upper Peninsula community after authorities confirmed the identities of the victims in a devastating crash involving a vehicle and a tanker truck on Wednesday. The Menominee County Sheriff’s Office announced that 38-year-old Todd Michael Bronold and his 23-month-old daughter, Palmer Bronold, both lost their lives in the tragic accident.
The crash occurred along a rural stretch of road in Menominee County, an area known for its winding highways and heavy truck traffic. According to preliminary reports, the Bronolds’ vehicle collided head-on with a tanker truck under circumstances still under investigation. Emergency crews responded swiftly, but the impact of the collision left both Todd and Palmer with fatal injuries. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not released details on what may have caused the crash, though investigators are examining road conditions, vehicle data, and witness statements. The driver of the tanker truck was treated for injuries and is cooperating fully with the investigation.
News of the accident has sent shockwaves through the small, tight-knit community. Todd Bronold was remembered as a devoted father, hard-working provider, and friend to many. Palmer, not yet two years old, was described by loved ones as a bright, joyful child who brought light and laughter to everyone she met.
“Todd was a great dad—everything he did was for Palmer,” a family friend shared. “They were inseparable. It’s impossible to believe they’re gone.”
The loss of both father and daughter in the same moment has been particularly devastating for the Bronold family. Relatives, friends, and neighbors have rallied to provide emotional and financial support, with an online fundraiser launched to help cover funeral expenses and ease the burden on grieving loved ones.
Menominee County Sheriff’s deputies have urged drivers to exercise extra caution on rural highways, where higher speeds and unpredictable conditions can quickly turn deadly. Local officials say the tragedy is a sobering reminder of how fragile life can be and how quickly it can change.
Funeral arrangements for Todd and Palmer are being finalized, and a joint memorial service is planned to celebrate their lives together. For the people of Menominee County, their passing has left an irreplaceable void—one that will be filled only with cherished memories of a father’s love for his daughter and the joy she brought to his life.