By Gari Voss
The call came to Allegan County Central Dispatch at 7:24pm on Saturday, October 12, 2024, reporting “a serious traffic crash” on M-40 near 110th Avenue in Trowbridge Township. When responders reached the location, they found an overturned hay wagon and an SUV with significant damage to its front end.
“The trailer was turned on its side, the tractor was at an awkward angle,” said Allegan County Sheriff Captain John Paul Damveld.
The preliminary investigation discovered that the SUV with three occupants was traveling south on M-40 when it struck the tractor and wagon with nine passengers who were enjoying a hayride while returning from dinner at a local restaurant.
The tractor did have lights, and though the wagon did not have lights, it did have a large reflective triangle hanging on the back.
There were several injuries to riders on the wagon and to the three in the SUV. Three from the wagon and two from the SUV had serious but not life-threatening injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Three riders on the hay wagon and one occupant of the SUV required hospitalization. Because of the number and degree of injuries, the sheriff’s office referred to it as “a serious injury crash”.
M-40 was closed during the investigation. As the investigation unfolded, a person in the SUV stated she was not the driver then admitted she was. It was first suspected then confirmed that alcohol contributed to the accident. The driver had a blood alcohol level of .12. The legal level is .08. The driver was charged with one count of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) Causing Serious Injury. Cpt. Damveld shared that charges could be added as the investigation continues.
The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Allegan City Police Department, Pine Grove Fire Department, LIFE EMS, MDOT, Plainwell EMS, the Allegan County Accident Reconstruction Team, and Allegan Central Dispatch.
