News

Actions

Fatal Crash in Sparta; Intersection Called ‘Dangerous’

Posted at 10:52 PM, Aug 18, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-19 08:13:10-04

SPARTA, Mich. — A motorcyclist died late Sunday afternoon after a crash in Sparta.

He has been identified by David Plumb, 57, of Grant.

The accident happened on Alpine Avenue near 12 Mile Road. It forced deputies to block the intersection as they investigated for several hours.

The Kent County Sheriff’s Department said the crash happened around 5:45 p.m. A car and a motorcycle were involved.

A release from the Kent County Sheriff Department said that Plumb apparently lost control of the motorcycle and crossed the center lane.

FOX 17 learned that two people in the car were pinned in and had to be cut out. They were identified as William Yuncker, 70, and Mary Yuncker, 64, both of Cedar Springs. Their injuries were not life-threatening. 

Alpine Avenue is a 55 mile per hour road. The accident happened near a curve that switches to 40 miles per hour. Woodwyk isn’t sure if the curve played a role. However, people familiar with this rural stretch call it an intersection of curves.

“Once you get to the curve it goes to 40. It drops down to 40 but no one ever follows that,” Adrian Arroyo said. His girlfriend lives near the intersection.

Arroyo said he’s like to see a stop light installed. If that’s not done, Arroyo would like to see the intersection straightened or the speed limit lowered.

“There’s numerous accidents there throughout the winter. Just because that curve, cars slip right through,” he explained.