Victims from afternoon fatal car/deer crash identified.

#MasonCountyNews #BranchTownship.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. 

BRANCH TOWNSHIP — The Mason County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the 31-year-old man who died Thursday afternoon after a deer crashed through the windshield of the vehicle he was riding in. Michah David Miller of Wellman, Iowa, died following the crash that occurred about 12:30 p.m. on US 10 near Taylor Road, according to Sgt. Adam Lamb.

The Dodge Caravan minivan was driven by Miller’s friend and landlord, Anthony Christian Oriano, 55, of Riverside, Iowa. The two men were in the area on a fishing trip. Miller was the father of two children, ages 3 and 1.

The crash occurred when the westbound minivan struck a deer. The deer was impaled by the vehicle, with half of its body going through the windshield of the minivan, striking Miller, and landing in the back of the vehicle.. The remainder of the deer struck an eastbound vehicle, but caused little damage to that vehicle, according to deputies on the scene. Oriano was not injured in the crash. Miller died at scene. Medical first responders from Branch Township and Custer fire departments performed CPR on him.

Responding to the crash were Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Branch Township Fire Department, Custer Fire Department, Michigan Department of Natural Resources law enforcement, and Life EMS. Notification of relatives was given by the Washington County, Ohio Sheriff’s Office.

Lamb said the investigation has been closed.