The driver killed on U.S.-131 north of Wayland Tuesday when his car struck the rear of a semi-truck has been identified as 21-year-old Luke DeWitt of Caledonia, who formerly was a student at Hopkins High School.
DeWitt was driving north on the freeway near the 84th Street exit at about just after when a semi-truck had slowed for an upcoming construction zone and vehicles were merging into the right lane just north of 100th Street.
A Facebook posting by family and friends said, “He leaves behind his family and friends but especially his 2-year-old son Luke Jr. Luke has endured many hardships in his life including overcoming leukemia and losing his oldest brother, Brandon to PTSD. He fought through the pain with the help of his loving parents, Tom and April, brother Collin and sister in law Renea, countless other family members and friends including the love of his life, Allie and Brandon’s army comrade Justin, who became a brother to Luke. Luke will be greatly missed…”
The post went on, “Luke’s family not only has the unthinkable challenge of coping with the loss of their son but also the hardships of paying for funeral expenses, medical bills for Luke Jr., who was born with a rare medical condition, funding for Luke Jr.’s future school and many other unforeseen expenses.”
His obituary reported that “Luke was an avid outdoors-man who loved hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed hockey and played for 10 years. Luke grew up in Hopkins and worked at M. E. C. Inc. in Byron Center.”
Luke was also a cancer survivor.
He is survived by the love of his life, Allie Brush; son, Luke Jr; parents, Thomas and April DeWitt; brother, Collin and Renea DeWitt; his niece and nephews, Madison, Landon and Mason; grandparents, Marilyn and Paul Dunning, Pamela Guyott and several uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother Brandon Dewitt and grandfathers Wilbert Guyott, and Harvey DeWitt
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 2, at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive SW with Dr. David Lee Smith officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m.at the funeral home prior to the service. There will be a luncheon at the Delta Plex Arena immediately following the service.
Those who wish may make memorial contribution to Make A Wish Foundation. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com.
Anyone who would like to make a monetary contribution may visit https://www.gofundme.com/2bx4sr8