Michael McCarter

About Michael

Michael McCarter was born and raised in Toledo, OH.  He graduated from Central Catholic High School and went on to become a Certified Master Journeyman Plumber and Pipefitter.  He was a member of Local 50 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union.  During his 16-year career at Local 50, Mike served in various capacities from Apprentice to General Foreman. He was proud to be part of teams that built vital local structures.  He had recently established McCarter’s Properties and Repairs LLC and was often called on by loved ones for help with various projects and repairs.  Michael also encouraged and mentored others into the trades.  He was so proud that his persistence and preparation allowed him to take care of his family.

Michael and his childhood sweetheart of over 25 years, Akisha, lived in Toledo with their two young daughters.  He had a special, close relationship with his girls, who adored him.  Family was the center of Michael’s world.  He was affectionately known as “Uncle Bub” by many.  His love also spread far beyond his immediate family.  Mike had a way of putting people at ease and in turn, they enjoyed being in his presence.  His charisma, hilarious sense of humor and lively personality were hard to resist. The McCarter family was surrounded by many loving friends and family. 

Michael was a hard worker, devoted husband and father, and a loyal friend. 

Crash Description

On October 15, 2021, Michael was on his way home from work.  A truck driver, distracted on his phone, lost control of his truck and crossed the highway slamming into and landing onto Michael’s car.  Michael was pinned in his car for 90 minutes before they could extract him.  He sustained several irreparable skull fractures and died because of the crash.

Life After the Crash

While Michael was the breadwinner in the family, he and Akisha supported their children together.  That was all taken from them because of someone’s reckless behavior.  The girls, who were just 10 and 7 at the time of the crash, are now forced to grow up with out the support of their father that they loved so much.  Akisha has vowed to do her best, just like he did, to support her family.  She also wants to ensure that no other mother has to experience the heavy burden of not only consoling your child about why their father isn’t coming home, and at the same time worrying about how you are going to provide for their basic needs on her own. 

In June of 2022, Akisha traveled to Washington, DC to advocate for stronger truck safety legislation to Congress and the US Department of Transportation.  Because the carrier with its name on the truck at the time of the crash only carried the minimum level of insurance, Akisha is unlikely to receive any assistance that would help her support her family. The mandatory minimum insurance requirement of $750,000 was put in place in 1980, before Akisha were even born.  It was meant to be adjusted every year for inflation.  It has not been raised for over 40 years. Increasing the minimum insurance that truck drivers are required to carry would incentivize companies to hire more competent and responsible drivers. 

To turn pain into purpose, Akisha has established a Memorial Scholarship Fund in Michael’s honor at Owens Community College in Northwood, OH for anyone entering the Skilled Trades.  It helps with the pain a little knowing that Mike is still positively impacting others and that his legacy is far reaching. 

While Akisha and her girls face an uncertain future, she shares their story to bring attention to the human cost of reckless behavior and outdated policies.  Real people with real lives are in their cars on the road with them.  The choices a driver makes impacts whole communities.  Michael was their rock, and his loss is felt tremendously by all that knew him.