OLIVE TOWNSHIP (WHTC) – A 23-year-old Zeeland man is in serious condition at a Grand Rapids hospital after his motorcycle collided with a tractor in Olive Township. Aaron Hoeve was airlifted to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital after the crash, which occured shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday at Tyler Street and 96th Avenue. Sgt. Matt Wildfong of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department says Hoeve and a friend were riding their Enduro-style motorcycles in the wrong lane on Tyler when his bike struck a tractor driven by 76-year-old Jerry Bakker of Zeeland, who had pulled out onto the road. Wildfong says the tractor was equipped with forks for picking up hay bales, and was pulling a manure spreader when it was struck by Hoeve’s motorcycle. The other motorcylist was able to avoid the tractor. Bakker was not hurt, but had to be taken to Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital after complaining of shortness of breath after the crash. An investigation continues.
By Greg Chandler
