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Avoiding drowning disasters
with summer at our doorstep, it is critical to recognize the risk pools play in a child’s life. Be aware of the danger that suction entrapment poses to children. Pool owners must construct and maintain barriers that prevent children from gaining access to pools. Barriers should be equipped with a gate or gates which restrict access to the pool.
A locking device should be included in the gate design. Gates should be self-closing and self-latching. Alarms should be used to immediately alert that a door or gate is open when adults are not present. Avoid horrific drowning disasters. BE safe and enjoy summer. Follow us on Twitter: @koningjilek
Alleged wrong-way driver leaves trail of accidents on I-96 near Fruitport
Published: Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 3:23 PM Updated: Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 6:22 PM
An alleged wrong-way driver has caused a trail of accidents along the westbound lanes of I-96 near the Fruitport Road exit. Callers to Muskegon County Central Dispatch around 3 p.m. reported a vehicle traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-96 east of the Airline Road interchange. Descriptions of the vehicle varied. Minutes later, a Fruitport police officer reporting find the vehicle in question against a guardrail near the Fruitport Road interchange. The police officer reported the alleged wrong-way driver hit at least one other vehicle about a half-mile west, causing minor injuries. There may be up to two or three other vehicles involved. The Chronicle has a crew heading to the scene. Stay with www.mlive.com/muskegon for updates as this story develops.
Teen faces charges in crash that killed friends
WYOMING, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The teen accused of being behind the wheel in a crash that killed two of his classmates was officially charged this morning. 15-year-old Krysta Howell and 17-year-old Timothy See died early Sunday morning. They were passengers in a car on I-196 when the driver, Takunda Mavima, lost control. Investigators believe Mavima was drinking. Mavima's family packed the courtroom this morning to hear the formal charges against him. Many of them were in tears as they heard the eight felonies read by the judge. "You're here for felony arrangement. There are two counts here alleging that you were operating a motor vehicle while you were intoxicated causing death of a Timothy See and Krysta Howell, they carry up to 15 years in the state penitentiary," said Honorable Judge Steven Timmers. Mavima himself hung his head and sniffled as the judge listed the charges which include two counts each of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, reckless driving causing death, operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury and reckless driving causing serious injury. The 17-year-old didn't speak during the brief video arraignment and since they are felony charges the judge entered a not guilty plea for him. Mavima is being held at the Kent County Jail on a $50,000 bond. He'll be in court again on May 30th.
2 car accident near Zilwaukee Bridge injures Michigan State Police trooper
Published: Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 12:53 PM Updated: Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 1:42 PM ZILWAUKEE, MI — A Michigan State Police trooper was transported to a local hospital after a car accident on northbound Insterstate-75 just north of the Zilwaukee Bridge. A Jeep Grand Cherokee crashed into the trooper's car, which was parked on the shoulder while assisting a semi-truck that was having a tire changed. The Cherokee flipped into the northbound left lane. A passenger in the vehicle has been hospitalized.
Alleged drunken driver in fatal hit-and-run of motorcycle near Wayland faces five felonies
Published: Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 1:23 PM ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI -- Michael Awrey, the driver who allegedly hit the back of a motorcycle south of Wayland and then fled the scene, now faces five felony charges. The charges include operating while intoxicated causing death. Awrey, 57, was arraigned Monday in Allegan County District Court and held in jail on a $25,000 bond. Allegan County sheriff's investigators allege he was driving a pickup Friday night on 129th Avenue when he hit a motorcycle driven by Steven Roden, 53, with Kimberly Anne Roden, 49, as a passenger. Kimberly Roden later died at the hospital and Steven Roden was seriously injured. Police allege Awrey fled the scene of the crash, driving with a punctured tire. A state police trooper caught up with the truck going south on 10th Street and gave pursuit. Awrey pulled into a driveway in the Martin area and allegedly resisted arrest. Meanwhile, his truck caught fire because of damage to the wheel well. He was arraigned Monday on charges of operating while intoxicated causing death, operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, resisting and obstructing an officer, fleeing and eluding, and failure to stop at an injury accident. A judge set a June 5 probable cause hearing for Awrey.
State Police post commander: Motorist could face penalties after 'serious crash' with state trooper
Published: Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 1:35 PM ILWAUKEE, MI — The driver of a black Jeep Grand Cherokee, who struck and injured a state trooper parked along Interstate 75 north of the Zilwaukee Bridge about lunchtime Tuesday, may face legal penalties, says First Lt. John Card, head of the Michigan State Police post in Bay City. "We ask people to be cautious all the time," said Card. "You see that red light, you're supposed to move over. Card said "the vehicle coming northbound did not move over and struck the rear of the patrol car." A "truck was disabled, so the trooper was parked behind to provide assistance and try to get traffic to move over." The trooper pulled to the east side of the highway, parked and turned on her flashers near where a mobile mechanic was repairing the front tire of a disabled semi. The trooper was inside the vehicle when the crash occurred. A spray of aqua-colored window shards filled the shoulder about 20 yards to the rear of an Olympian Group Systems semi-truck and trailer. The SUV lay on its roof facing east in the left lane of the highway after the crash and a metal spring lay in the right lane near broken glass and plastic. The collision compacted and crumpled the trooper's trunk into the rear passenger area of the vehicle and the chassis appeared cockeyed. "It looks good, but they were both taken away on backboards," Card said, when asked about the drivers' conditions at the scene. He said the it appears the motorist violated state law by not switching lanes and "it's going to be up to the prosecutor" what fines or penalties may be issued. "As you can see, it's a serious crash," Card said. Police closed northbound lanes for greater than two hours and reopened the highway about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday.
15-year-old dead in motorcycle crash
Updated: Tuesday, 22 May 2012, 10:44 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 22 May 2012, 5:09 PM EDT
YANKEE SPRINGS, Mich. (WOOD) - A juvenile is dead after a motorcycle crash near Yankee Springs. There were two people on the motorcycle, according to authorities on the scene. One of those, a teen, was killed in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene. Ottawa County investigators confirmed to 24 Hour News 8 that the victim was 15 years old. It's not yet clear what caused the motorcycle to crash. The crash was on Norris Road south of Wildwood Road, not far from the Yankee Springs recreational area in Barry County. The juvenile's body was removed from the scene in an ambulance just before 6 p.m. The name of the teen is being withheld pending notification of family members.
Benefit Held for Wyoming Victim's Family
7:35 p.m. EDT, May 22, 2012
GRANDVILLE, Mich.—Family and friends of Krysta Howell gathered at a spaghetti dinner benefit. It took place at Resurrection Life Church in Grandville. They’re hoping to raise money for Krysta’s burial expenses. "We're trying to raise as much as we can to help the family with funeral costs. We're just reaching out to the community to please come,” Amber Pflugradt, Krysta’s cousin said. The 15 year old Wyoming Park High School student died Sunday morning around 4 am. Police say she and five other teens were in a car exiting I-196 when their car veered off the exit, rolled down an embankment and smashed into a tree. Howell and 17 year old Timothy See died at the scene. Trent Lambright and Huy Nguyen, both 18, were taken to the hospital. Dylan Stanaway, 16, performed CPR on the other victims, according to his father. He's out of the hospital. The family says anyone interested in donating can do so through the church, Resurrection Life Church through 4 pm, May 23rd. Donations can be done over the phone. The 'Krysta Howell Fund' is the name of the fund.