By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
MARTIN—The Plainwell Department of Public Safety was among the agencies that responded to a fatal single-car crash in Martin Township on Saturday, Aug. 6.
According to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, reports of a personal injury accident on 6th Street and 114th Avenue came in 5:12 p.m. Once on scene, law enforcement officers found the vehicle with a single male occupant, who was unconscious and trapped upside down.
The driver, who was identified only as a 30-year-old man who lived in the area, was extricated from the vehicle and life-saving measures were performed. Those measure proved to be unsuccessful, however, and the man passed away as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash.
An initial investigation showed that seatbelt use and alcohol were likely factors in the accident, according to officials.
Investigators believe the driver was traveling north on 6th Street just south of 114th Avenue when he lost control of the vehicle, which left the roadway and struck a large tree.
The stretch of road where the accident occurred was shut down as officials worked the scene, but the road was reopened later that evening.
The Michigan State Police, the Martin Fire Department and Wayland EMS joined the Plainwell Department of Public Safety in assisting the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office on the call.