SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN (WKZO-AM) — Police are warning drivers to be aware of motorcyclists now that the weather has warmed up. At least five have been killed and several others hospitalized in separate crashes in Southwest Michigan this weekend.
59 year old Mark Snyder died Friday night when a driver in a car backed out of a driveway right into his path on 168th Avenue in Ottawa County.
Saturday, 52-year-old Jon Penning was killed on his motorcycle when he was struck by a 17-year-old who turned in front of him in Kent County.
In Allegan County, 47-year-old Ronald Freeman was fataly injured when his motorcycle was struck by a drunken driver at 48th and 142nd Avenue.
Another drunken driver killed a 65-year-old motorcyclist from Battle Creek when she struck him from behind late Sunday afternoon on Michigan Avenue in Bedford Township.
A crash in Cass County killed young Elkhart man who was struck by a pickup in Mason Township Saturday.
At 12:30 a.m. early Saturday. Deputies say 22-year-old Daimon Leader was driving a motorcycle on M-205 near Cassopolis when he collided with a truck that was turning onto Cassopolis Road.
Leader was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 21-year-old driver of the pickup, also from Elkhart, was transported to Elkhart General Hospital for treatment of the injuries he sustained in the crash.
Seatbelts and helmets were used by the two men involved. Tests are being conducted to determine if alcohol was a factor.
Later Saturday afternoon, deputies were dispatched to Dutch Settlement road at about 4:30.
They found 45-year-old Roger Pedat of Benton Harbor on the ground after he had to lay the motorcycle down on the pavement to avoid rear-ending a vehicle that was slowing to turn on to Nubour Road in Wayne Township.
He was Transported to Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph for treatment.
A little over 5-hours later, Deputies say 50-year-old James Combs of Elkhart lost control of his motorcycle on a curvy stretch of Dailey Road and crashed the bike.
He was not injured, but his passenger, 47-year-old Cynthia Collins of Edwardsburg was transported to South Bend General for treatment. Its not known if they were wearing helmets.
Deputies say they are investigating to determine if alcohol was a factor.
All of the crashes are under investigation.
