At least five bicyclists dead, four more injured in hit-and-run crash

Shortly after 6:30 Tuesday night, police say a pickup truck hit a group of nine bicyclists on North Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo.

It was, numerous people have said, the deadliest crash involving bicyclists in memory – not just in Kalamazoo County, but in MI and possibly the country.

Authorities began receiving calls about the blue pickup truck about 30 minutes before the crash, with people complaining “about the manner in which that vehicle was being driven”, Getting said.

Five of the bicyclists were pronounced dead at the scene: Tony Nelson, 73, and Larry Paulik, 74, both of Kalamazoo, and Debra Bradley, 53; Melissa Fevig-Hughes, 42, and Suzanne Sippel, 56, all of Augusta. Of the four injured cyclists, one is in serious condition; the condition of the others is not known.

He was found a short distance away from the crash police and is in custody. “People just went out for a bicycle ride never expecting they weren’t going to go home”.

Gov. Rick Snyder issued a statement of condolence to the victims’ families and the community on Wednesday. “In addition, I want to recognize our first responders and law enforcement officials who reacted quickly to care for the victims and locate the pickup truck driver who fled from the crash”.

“There is very little I can or will tell you about how exactly this accident happened”, said Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting.

He declined to answer several questions about the suspect and said the man’s name would not be released until his office has had an opportunity to make a determination about charges. Charges will be filed after police reports are completed, according to Getting.

Authorities are still in the process of identifying victims and notifying their families, and will not release any names until that process is complete.

“It’s too narrow a bike lane for safety, in my estimation”, he said, adding that there’s only about 3 feet of shoulder space for cyclists.

The cyclists were not on one of their regularly scheduled rides when they were struck, Irwin said.

Cooper Township is south of Grand Rapids.