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Truck slams into bicyclists in MI, killing 5

The pickup driver, identified only as a 50-year-old man from western MI, took off on foot after the crash but was taken into custody near the scene, WOOD-TV reports.

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Michigan State Police were called in to help determine what happened, Governor Rick Snyder said in a statement on Wednesday.

Early information is that they were northbound and on the right shoulder of the road when they were struck from behind, Getting said.

Of the injured, Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said one was in critical condition, two were in serious condition and the fourth was in fair condition. “I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re going through”.

Several local law enforcement agencies received calls about how the vehicle was being driven about 30 minutes before the collision, according to Getting.

“It’s not good. I’m glad they got the guy, they caught him from running”, a witness said.

The crash occurred before they found the truck, Getting said; he asserted that there was no pursuit in progress at the time of the crash. He gave no further details about the bike riding group.

Markus Eberhard was leaving a nearby park after fishing and said he almost was hit by the pickup.

“I’m at a loss to describe how I feel about the impact to the community”, Getting said, but he added, “I have every confidence in Kalamazoo and in Kalamazoo County and I know how the community will respond”.

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Cooper Township is south of Grand Rapids and just miles from Kalamazoo. Jason Dalton, 45, had been picking up riders for Uber at the time of the shootings. His attorney told a judge Monday that Dalton is expected to plead insanity in his defense.

Police: Multiple dead after car hits cyclists