News
Motorcycle crash kills Plainwell student, but few details released
Rosemary Parker | rparker3@mlive.com
Posted: 05/23/2012 6:55 AM
ORANGEVILLE TOWNSHIP, MI — A 17-year-old boy identified on Facebook pages and at a school gathering Tuesday night as a student at Plainwell High School was killed Tuesday when the 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle he was riding northbound on Norris Road left the roadway. Barry County Sheriff’s Department is releasing few details of its investigation of the crash, including the rider's name, the time or the exact location, but according to a news release from the department the cyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene. A sheriff's department employee who would not give a name said the crash happened before 6 p.m. near Wildwood, and that the rider was alone on the cycle, contrary to previous reports.
Cyclist claims he was run off the road
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Less than a week after riding to raise awareness about the dangers cyclists face on the roads, a Kalamazoo man says a driver ran him off the road. Mike Cutler is one of dozens of people who pedaled through the streets of Kalamazoo a week ago for the Ride of Silence. Many of them rode in honor of cyclists who've been hurt or killed out on a ride. Last night, Cutler became one of the victims. Cutler suffered a fractured arm, severe concussion and some pretty nasty road rash, but Cutler is lucky to be alive. He said that while most cars are pretty good and give adequate room, last night, one didn't. Cutler was riding on Ravine Road with about 30 other cyclists on their weekly Tuesday night ride. We spoke with one of them, Brad Rose. Rose said, "There was a gentleman back there in a white car who continually beeped his horn." Rose claims that when the driver finally started to pass the cyclists, he seemed to snap, and passed within inches of them. Cutler said he went down as the vehicle got right up next to him, and went face first into the concrete, shattering his glasses. His helmet likely saved his life. By the time he came to, Cutler said he was being loaded onto a stretcher. Even though Cutler knows he and his riding buddies have always ridden safe and legally, he said he'll never take it for granted again that motorists know that. "You just can't be too careful, because it can happen to you and it can happen in a split second," he said.
Police Investigating Hit-And-Run; Mother Pleads For Help
Carl Apple News Reporter
1:13 p.m. EDT, May 23, 2012
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— The mother of a 15-year old Wyoming Rogers student is asking for someone to come forward and confess after her son was hit on his bicycle Saturday night. Jose Valdez was riding home from a Quinceanera celebration around midnight Saturday when he was hit by a vehicle in an alley near Francis and Melville near his Grand Rapids home. Police are investigating the matter as a hit-and-run. “I’m thinking somebody beat him up, I’m thinking somebody tried to take his bike,” said Jose’s mother Connie Valdez. Connie Valdez said an ambulance brought her son to the DeVos Children’s Hospital. He had injuries to his leg and arm, but had no broken bones. Doctors told Jose he was not allowed to finish school. Connie said he will have to take summer classes to keep up with his classmates. The normally active teen is kept inside where it’s dark and quiet, because of his head injuries. Connie is asking anyone with information to come forward and call the police. “How could anybody be so cruel just let somebody, hit somebody and just leave them there?” Said Connie Valdez.
Galesburg man, 20, struck by car, killed while walking along Michigan Ave. Alcohol believed to be a factor.
Published: Friday, May 25, 2012, 5:36 AM Updated: Friday, May 25, 2012, 5:36 AM
Rosemary Parker | rparker3@mlive.com By Rosemary Parker | rparker3@mlive.com
COMSTOCK, MI — A 20-year-old Galesburg man was killed Thursday when he was struck by a car as he walked along Michigan Avenue, according to a news release from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office. Steven Kuhse was walking east near the intersection of Winterburn Street in Comstock Township at shortly before 7 p.m. when he was struck by a westbound car driven by a 35-year-old Galesburg man. The cause and factors of the accident are still under investigation, police said. The Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office, along with Comstock Fire and Rescue were summoned to the scene.
Serious crash in Kent County
KENT COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Kent County officials have confirmed that they are responding to a crash at 12 Mile Road and Courtland Drive NE near Rockford. It was confirmed that AeroMed had been launched in response to the incident. Dispatch said they think one of these roads is being shut down, but at last call could not confirm which. We have a crew en route to the scene and will report as new information develops.
Hit and run in Emmett Twp.
EMMETT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Emmett Township Public Safety is asking for your help in a hit and run investigation. It happened at the intersection of East Michigan Avenue and North Raymond Road around 10:30 last night. Officers say someone walking down the street was hit by a dark colored pickup truck. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the incident. There is no word on the victim's condition at this time. Police say the suspect vehicle also had a silver diamond plate tool box in the bed of the truck. Anyone with information on this is asked to contact the Emmett Township Public Safety or Silent Observer.
4 injured; Jaws of Life, AeroMed called
Updated: Friday, 25 May 2012, 9:46 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 25 May 2012, 6:56 PM EDT
ROCKFORD, Mich. (WOOD) - Four people are in the hospital after a driver ran a stop sign near Courtland Drive and 12 mile northeast of Rockford around 5:30 p.m. Friday. According to the Kent County Sheriff's Department, Alexander Weyerman, 21, was driving a 2000 Olds Alero heading northbound on Courtland Dr. when he went through the stop sign at 12 mile. He then struck a westbound black 2005 Chevy Impala driven by 67-year-old Richard Dutcher, who had the right of way. Weyerman's maroon Olds Alero spun into the ditch and struck a tree on the passenger side of the vehicle. Weyerman's brother, 23-year-old Zachary, was in the front passenger seat and had to be flown by AeroMed to Butterworth Hospital with a serious head injury, where he is still being evaluated. Dutcher and his wife, Nancee, were taken by ambulance to Butterworth Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, along with Weyerman. Jaws of Life were used to extricate Zachary out of the car after it struck the tree, according to police.
Family, police look for alleged hit and run driver
EMMETT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Police in Emmett Township are looking for help to catch a driver they say hit and critically injured a woman, then took off. Detectives said Julie Bush was struck at the intersection of East Michigan Avenue and North Raymond Road in Emmett Township. Bush's family contacted us earlier today, and have been at Bronson Hospital since last night. The victim in all this is conscious now, and her family said she is able to talk somewhat, but that her injuries are extensive, and she may never fully recover. Her husband said priority one is his wife's health, but he also wants justice. Bush was walking to the corner store at around 10:30 last night, and her husband Steve said he knew something was amiss when he heard sirens. He told us he decided to go check it out and found his wife lying in the road, "tore up and bloody." Steve said the impact broke several ribs, both shoulders and his wife's pelvis, also collapsing a lung and fracturing her skull. That last injury leads to another problem--according to her husband, Julie doesn't remember the accident at all. All witnesses have been able to tell police was that the pickup truck that allegedly struck her is dark in color, with a silver diamond plate tool box mounted in the bed. Julie's family is hoping that someone can come forward with more information. According to Steve, his wife will be in the hospital until at least next week. He's hoping that Emmett Township Police will have leads on who's responsible by then.