The twin sister of Catherine Bender, who was charged in connection with the traffic death of John Dolegowski in December, formally has been charged with allowing a suspended person to operate, causing death.

Nancy Lynn Ferrier, 45, is accused of allowing her twin sister to drive her car when it ran a stop sign and crash into Dolegowski’s truck Dec. 16 in Hopkins Township. This, despite the fact Bender’s driver’s license had been suspended. Ferrier is the registered owner of the vehicle driven by Bender.

The charge of allowing a suspended person to operate, causing death, is a felony. Future hearings for both women will be scheduled.

Bender was arraigned last month on a charge of driving with a license suspended (DWLS) causing death on Dec. 16.

The fatal crash took place at the intersection of 130th Avenue and 22nd Street in Hopkins Township. Allegan County Sheriff’s deputies said they responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash involving a pickup truck and a passenger car. The passenger car had suffered severe front end damage and the engine area was on fire.

Bender, the driver of the car, was removed from the vehicle and the fire was extinguished by Hopkins Fire Department. She was was treated at the scene for moderate injuries and transported via Aeromed helicopter to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital.

Dolegowski, 58, of Watson Township, the driver of the pickup truck, was ejected from his vehicle and was found to have severe injuries. He was taken to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital by Wayland EMS where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

Bender was wearing a seat belt and the initial investigation shows that she failed to stop for a stop sign heading westbound on 130th Avenue and drove into the path of the southbound pickup truck driven by Dolegowski on 22nd Street. Dolegowski was not wearing his seat belt.
PHOTOS: Nancy Ferrier  Catherine Bender