SPD releases video of Friday crash.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.
SCOTTVILLE — The Scottville Police Department has released video of a crash that occurred in downtown Scottville Friday, June 11. While there were no injuries in the crash, a split second difference could have meant serious injuries, as indicated by the video Police Chief Matt Murphy said.
The video, taken from the security camera at Scottville City Hall, shows several vehicles traveling through the intersection of State (US 10) and Main streets at 1:44 p.m. (the video states 2:44 p.m., due to the time not being changed following Daylight Savings Time). As the light turns green, several cars travel northbound on Main Street through the intersection. A commercial truck, owned by West Michigan Well Drilling, driven by owner Jim Lehrbass, 42, travels south through the intersection as a pickup travels north. A Kia Spectra, driven by a 32-year-old Holland woman then enters the intersection, heading east, against the red light, at a high rate of speed and hits the rear bumper of Lehrbass’s truck, barely missing the northbound truck. At that time, the Kia goes up on the south sidewalk, spins around and exits the screen.
Three children were passengers in the vehicle and none were injured. The vehicle was severely damaged. Firefighters on scene said the damage of the vehicle was consistent with many crashes that have resulted in great bodily harm.
The vehicle caused major damage to the building located at 143 E. State St.
Murphy said the driver of the vehicle was uncooperative with law enforcement and EMS, refusing to identify herself. She initially refused medical treatment but then rode in the ambulance to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Three minors were in the vehicle and sustained various non-life-threatening injuries. All were transported to the hospital.
Lehrbass told MCP that he didn’t realize he had been hit, initially. He was uninjured.
Emergency units dispatched to the scene included Scottville Police Department, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Scottville Fire Department, and Custer Fire Department.
The crash remains under investigation.
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