Ottawa County Sheriff’s authorities said they believe a 20-year-old Hopkins apparently fell asleep at the wheel and his car left the road and crashed in Jamestown Township, killing his passenger, 19-year-old Hope Klinkers of Hamilton, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the man, who has not yet been identified, was driving a 2001 Ford Escape on 32nd Avenue in Ottawa County near Adams Street between Zeeland and Byron Center at 5 a.m. Sunday morning when it left the road and struck an abutment.
Ottawa County Sheiff’s deputies, in a prepared statement, said, “The front-seat passenger, a 19-year-old female, was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
The driver was treated for his injuries, but did not require overnight hospital treatment.
Authorities said neither the man nor the woman were wearing seat belts. They added they are awaiting toxicology lab results.
