Schools were closed and accidents abounded on the U.S.-131 expressway Tuesday morning, as winter refused to release its grip in West Michigan. March indeed came in roaring like a lion, leaving hopes it would exit like a lamb. The cover photo is from Yankee Springs Fire Chief Dan Miller, near the 100th Street exit on the freeway. Traffic also was slowed or temporarily shut down near the Martin exit. But the photo at left from Kay Genther showed the gentler side of the season.
On a much more somber note, Michigan State Police from the Wayland post confirmed that one person was killed in a crash around 7:40 a.m. in the northbound lanes near 116th Street in Martin Township.
Evert-Jan Ohler, 65, driving an SUV, didn’t notice traffic was stopped because of a crash. His vehicle crashed into the back of a Providence Christian School bus and he died at the scene.
There were 19 students and the driver on the bus and one student was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. There was a third vehicle in the crash, but damage and injuries were minor.
State Police troopers said alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the crash, but speed was.
Thank goodness Al Gore invented Global Warming.
It should state “Drugs and Alcohol were NOT a factor!” The word NOT makes a big difference.