KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) – Just a few weeks away from the anniversary of Kalamazoo’s Bicycle Tragedy, the National Transportation Safety Board has issued its final report on the deadly crash.
There are no major surprises or revelations. Just a very detailed account of the investigation.
They blame drug intoxication for the condition of the driver who plowed into nine members of the Chain Gang Bicycle Club last June, killing five. They say combating impaired driving due to drugs and alcohol continues to be an NTSB and national priority.
They are not backing off a conclusion that the incident may have been prevented had local police agencies had consolidated dispatch, and officers been directed to head off the intoxicated driver, who weaved his way across town for some time before striking the bikers.
But the suggestion they could have prevented the incident was rejected by local law enforcement officials, despite the fact that they have also put a priority on consolidating dispatch operations.
The NTSB recommends that city, county and township police agencies bring in the state’s 911 Committee for a review of their dispatch operations and that they immediately follow their recommendations.
