NORTH BLENDON, MI (WHTC) - The first storm of the winter season along the Lakeshore is being blamed for a head-on crash in Blendon Township last night that hospitalized three persons.
According to Ottawa County Sheriff’s Sergeant John Wolffis, 46-year-old Cheryl Gable of Zeeland was driving her minivan southbound on 72nd Avenue near Polk Street, while 56-year-old Douglas Stelma of Comstock Park was also in a minivan, but headed in the opposite direction. Due to blowing snow and icy conditions, Gable lost control of her vehicle and veered into the northbound lane. Seeing the situation ahead, Stelma attempted to swerve out of the way and drove into the southbound lane. Gable’s vehicle then went back into the southbound lane and straight into Stelma’s minivan.
A passenger in Stelma’s vehicle, 50-year-old LeAnne Hawkins of Coopersville, was pinned and had to be extricated by rescue workers. She and Stelma were taken to Spectrum-Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, where she was initially listed in serious condition, while Stelma was in stable condition. Gable was taken to Spectrum-Zeeland Community Hospital in stable condition.
Wolffis added that 72nd Avenue was closed for a couple of hours as a result of the crash, all three persons involved were buckled up, and alcohol wasn’t a factor in the incident, which remains under investigation.
