HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Two people died after a crash between a semi-tractor trailer crash and a passenger car in Jamestown Township, according to Lou Hunt, Ottawa County’s emergency management director.
The crash happened just before 6 a.m. Sunday, May 23, 2021 on M-6, just east of Eighth Avenue in Jamestown Township. The force of the crash caused both vehicles to catch fire according to Ottawa County Sheriff’s Sgt. J. Douglas. Emergency responders could not get to victims in either vehicle, he said, in an email to media.
No names have been released, pending notification of family members.
M-6 was shut down for the safety of all those involved, including crash investigators.
The initial police investigation indicates that the semi drifted off the south side of the road, according to Douglas, before the driver attempted to correct before correcting, which led to the semi rolling over. A westbound car hit the semi’s trailer.
WB M-6 will remain closed for an undetermined length of time as the accident is investigated, the roadway is cleaned up and then assessed for safety.
Michigan Department of Transportation is conducting a safety inspection on the bridge crossing Rush Creek to ensure that it is safe to handle vehicle traffic. Westbound M-6 will remain closed between Wilson and 8th Avenue until at least 9 a.m. Tuesday, according to MDoT officials.
The Ottawa County Hazmat team responded to assist in a spill clean up for the petroleum product that the tanker was carrying. At this time the spill has been contained and there are no safety concerns for anyone that lives in the area. The Ottawa County Hazmat Team, and Ottawa County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the area of the spill and a environmental clean up company is enroute to begin the clean up efforts.
The Sheriffs Office ask that anyone that may have witnessed the incident to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (616) 738-4000, Ottawa County Central Dispatch, at (800) 249-0911, or Silent Observer, (877) 88-SILENT.
Life EMS, firefighters from Jamestown, Georgetown, Zeeland, Blendon and Byron townships assisted at the scene, as did City of Hudsonville firefighters; Ottawa County Emergency Management; Ottawa County’s HAZMAT team; Michigan Sate Police troopers; Ottawa County Road commission; and MDoT officials, according to Douglas.
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