News
Matthew McKee, 29, identified as man killed in Otsego workplace accident
OTSEGO, MI -- Police have identified 29-year-old Matthew McKee of Allegan as the man killed in a workplace accident this afternoon at the Renewed Earth processing yard, 255 E. River St. Otsego police responded at around 1:35 p.m. to the yard on a report of an employee caught in one of the processing machines. Upon arrival, officers found McKee with one arm and his torso caught in one of the large belts and rollers of an earth processing machine, according to a press release from the Otsego City Police Department. McKee was removed from the machine, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Other employees were working in the area but told police they did not witness the accident. The Allegan County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of McKee's death. Recycled Earth is based in Oshtemo Township. The company contracts with the city of Portage to handle composting at the city site and also runs a composting site in Otsego. The company produces blended soils and bark products for landscapers, greenhouses and nursery growers, according to its website.
Motorcyclist taken to hospital after being hit by car in Galesburg
GALESBURG, MI — A motorcyclist was taken to a hospital with minor injuries after an accident near Galesburg-Augusta High School on Tuesday. The man on the motorcycle was traveling on M-96 when a woman driving a car on 37th Street failed to yield and hit him, Galesburg Police Chief Richard Mau said. The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet, but suffered only scrapes and other minor injuries, Mau said.
Crash closes U.S. 131 north of Constantine
CONSTANTINE, MI -- A crash on U.S. 131 north of Constantine in St. Joseph County has closed all lanes of the highway, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. The news release says the crash occurred near Zerbe Road., No other details are available.
Update: All lanes of U.S. 131 in St. Joseph County have been reopened following a crash north of Constantine, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Bicyclist, 17, hit by pick-up truck on Romence Road in Portage
PORTAGE, MI – A 17-year-old girl riding her bicycle was hit by a man driving a pick-up truck on Romence Road in Portage Friday night. Portage Department of Public Safety Sgt. Greg Wessendorf said the girl was conscious and alert after the accident and appeared to have suffered only minor injuries. The girl was riding her bike west on the sidewalk when the truck driven by a 55-year-old man pulled out of a parking lot and hit her, Wessendorf said. The driver hasn't been given a ticket and the accident is still under investigation, Wessendorf said. No other information was available.
Girl,12, hit by car expected to recover
PARK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A 12-year-old girl is expected to recover after police said a vehicle struck her in an Ottawa County road. It was about 6:38 p.m. Thursday when Alexis Moore tried to cross Ottawa Beach Road near 152nd Avenue in Park Township. Robert Nida, 65, of Holland was driving in the westbound lanes when his vehicle hit the girl, who is also from Holland. There are no crosswalks in the area, police said, and Nida was not cited or found at fault. "It's busy all the time, but summer's just horrible bad and nobody does the speed limit anyway. It's 45. I could sit there all day long, I'm sure people are going at least 60-70 miles an hour," said Leslie Maginity, Alexis' mother. "My heart drops every time I turn into my driveway. You never know if you're going to get hit." Police agencies warn drivers this time of year to watch out for excited children out of school for the summer. But in this case, the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department said the driver was not at fault. Alexis was first taken to Holland Hospital and then airlifted to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids. Maginity says her daughter has multiple broken bones and a concussion, but is improving. "Everybody's been great. Everybody's prayed for her and we've just been praying all night," said Maginity. "She's pulled through way better than we could have ever expected."
Motorcyclist crashes, loses leg
EMMETT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A 44-year-old Battle Creek motorcyclist lost his leg and is in critical condition after being hit by an oncoming car and thrown into a marsh late Friday morning. Around 11:30 a.m., Calhoun County authorities said, two motorcyclists were driving together on South Raymond Road near Golden Avenue. The bike driven by Tony Scherer crossed the center line and was hit head-on by an oncoming driver. The crash amputated Scherer's leg and threw him about 50 feet through the air into a marsh area. Emergency responders located his leg, and he was rushed to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. The second motorcyclist was riding ahead of Scherer when the accident happened. He later contacted police and is cooperating with the investigation. The driver of the car was not hurt, and apparently not at fault. The accident remains under investigation.
Michigan workplace safety authorities investigating death of Renewed Earth employee in Otsego
OTSEGO, MI — It will likely take weeks to complete the investigation into the death of an Otsego employee Tuesday at Renewed Earth processing yard, 255 E. River St., a state official said Wednesday. Until the investigation is finished, no information will be released, said Sunduri Murthy, safety and health manager for the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Matthew McKee, 29, of Allegan, was killed in a workplace accident after being caught in one of the processing machines, according to a press release from the Otsego City Police Department. Officers found McKee with one arm and his torso caught in one of the large belts and rollers of an earth processing machine. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Murthy confirmed that the state's investigation began Tuesday afternoon, following the 1:30 p.m. incident, and said that MIOSHA has not received any complaints about the facility, which mixes landscaping materials for retail sale.
Single vehicle crash takes two lives
IONIA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A single vehicle crash in Ionia County has killed two young men. It happened around 12:45 this afternoon on Smokey Row, just east of Main Street in Ionia Township. The 21-year-old driver was heading west on Smokey Row when he lost control of the vehicle and went into a ditch. The car went airborne and hit a tree. Both the driver and a 20-year-old passenger died at the scene. Neither was wearing a seat belt. The crash remains under investigation, but neither of the victim's names will be released until families are notified.