ROBINSON TWP. (WHTC-AM/FM) — The names of those involved in a fatal traffic crash Monday afternoon have been released, according to an email from Ottawa County Sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Austin.
Grand Haven resident Kira Vanbeukering, 33, was killed in the three-vehicle crash, which happened just before 3:30 p.m. Monday, at Lake Michigan Drive and 128th Avenue in Robinson Township.
Vanbeukering had been driving a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am.
Muskegon resident Laura Hilliard, 48, at the wheel of a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero, suffered minor injuries and was sent by North Ottawa Community Hospital to Spectrum Health Butterworth.
According to police, Hilliard was eastbound on Lake Michigan Drive when she was distracted by a dead deer along the roadway. She didn’t realize Vanbeukering’s vehicle was stopped at the intersection. The impact of Hilliard’s vehicle into the Vanbeukering’s sent Vanbeukering’s Grand Am into Lake Michigan’s westbound lane, where the Grand Am was struck by an oncoming VW Jetta, driven by Grand Haven resident Katherine Steinke, 23.
Grand Haven resident Savanna Tackett, 29, a front-seat passenger in Vanbeukering’s car, was airlifted by Areomed to Spectrum Health Butterworth with critical injuries. Grand Haven resident Conner Glass, 19, a back-seat passenger in Vanbeukering’s car, was ejected on impact and taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth with critical injuries.
Steinke was not injured in the crash, which remains under investigation.
