A motorcyclist from Flint was killed during a vehicle crash in Lapeer County’s North Branch on Saturday.
Lapeer County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene at the intersection of Barnes and Silverwood roads shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, after reports that two motorcycles had crashed.
Investigation found that three motorcycles had been northbound and driving together on Silverwood Road when one of them, a 61-year-old Flint man, observed an eastbound vehicle on Barnes Road stop at a stop sign before proceeding into the intersection. This prompted the 61-year-old to hit the brakes to avoid the driver, with the sudden braking causing another motorcyclist in the group, a 75-year-old, to accidentally collide with the back of the 61-year-old’s bike.
The collision caused both bikes to lose control, sliding on the roadway, and ejecting the 75-year-old from his bike. The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, and despite transport by EMS to Lapeer’s McLaren Hospital, the man, later identified as Carl Rhinebolt of Flint, died later that day from his injuries.
The 61-year-old was not injured, with investigation finding no indications that alcohol or excessive speeding caused the crash.
The Lapeer’s Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Lapeer County and Marlette EMS, the North Branch Fire Department, Metamora Township’s Police Aviation Unit and the Lapeer County Reconstruction Team. The road remained closed for two hours following the crash for investigation efforts.
