A traffic crash in Forester Township this past August that left two motorcyclists dead and several more injured may see charges being sought against the SUV driver involved in the accident.
The Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday via press release that the finished investigation will be forwarded to the county prosecutor to review for possible charges, adding that the driver had been uncooperative with the investigation.
Back on Saturday, August 6, the Sanilac County Central Dispatch received a flurry of calls around 1:19 p.m. regarding a traffic crash involving a motorcycle on M-25, near Stone Road. Sheriff deputies were joined at the scene by the Port Sanilac and Delaware Township Fire Departments, Sanilac EMS and Croswell EMS to find the accident actually involved four motorcycles and one passenger vehicle.
Further investigation found that the passenger vehicle, a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander, was being driven south on North Lakeshore Road when the driver, 55-years-old and from Port Sanilac, crossed the centerline, side-swiping a 1999 Harley Davidson Road King Motorcycle driven by a 67-year-old Shelby Township man. Despite the impact, the Shelby Township man was able to keep his motorcycle up and in control until he could come to a safe stop.
Still, the Uplander continued, striking a second motorcycle, this time a 2020 Harley Davidson being driven by a 55-year-old Berkley man, which caused the motorcycle to lay down in the roadway. The impact also caused the Berkley man to collide with the 2021 Harley Davidson Road Glide next to him, causing it to go down on its side and separating the driver, a 42-year-old Southgate man, and his passenger, a 35-year-old woman also from Southgate, from the bike.
Still, the Uplander continued on, striking another motorcycle and sending its driver, a 67-year-old Warren man, off the bike and into the east ditch, where he was later announced dead by police. With this last impact, the Uplander also entered the east ditch, where it rolled but ultimately ended landing on its wheels.
The 55-year-old Berkley man passed from his injuries at McLaren Lapeer Hospital. The SUV driver and remaining motorcyclists all received medical attention following the accident, with three out of the four ultimately being sent out of county for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Alcohol, drugs and speed do not appear to be factors in the crash, and no helmets appear to have been worn during the accident either.
