OVERISEL TWP., MI (WHTC) – A 19-year-old Hamilton area woman was critically injured while jogging on Wednesday evening.
According to Allegan County Sheriff’s Captain Chris Kuhn, Julie Genzink had been jogging with an undisclosed female friend along 142nd Avenue around 6 PM when, at the intersection of 38th Street, they attempted to cross the roadway. The friend was able to make it across ahead of an approaching car, but despite slowing down because of that friend’s crossing, the vehicle couldn’t avoid striking Genzink. Two eye witnesses say that the runners appeared to not be looking for approaching traffic before they attempted to cross the roadway.
Genzink was taken to Spectrum-Butterworth Hospital, where she underwent surgery to treat what Kuhn said was a “significant” head injury. The unnamed driver of the vehicle was cooperative with deputies at the scene, and although Kuhn said that “it does not appear that the driver of the vehicle was at fault,” the case will eventually be reviewed by the county prosecutor’s office.
Overisel Reformed Church has posted updates on the victim’s condition on its Facebook page and has said that Genzink’s younger sister was scheduled to graduate on Thursday night from Hamilton High School. A prayer vigil for the family is slated for 7:15 PM on Thursday evening at the church off of 142nd Avenue.
The crash remains under investigation.
