A passenger involved in a rollover accident was killed early Sunday when a second vehicle crashed through the rollover scene.
The fatal mishap took place on the US-131 Business Loop just south of the point where the loop swings south and becomes Westnedge Avenue.
The first vehicle, with four people inside, failed to make the curve and rolled into the median. One passenger was ejected, and the other three were hurt but able to get out of the vehicle.
A nurse and an off-duty Kalamazoo County deputy stopped to help. Then a second vehicle missed the same curve and struck the nurse, the deputry, and two of the passengers. Of of those passengers, a 23-year-old Richland man, was killed. A 22-year-old Kalamazoo woman was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.
The deputy and other passengers struck were reported to be hospitalized but stable.
Both drivers were expected to recover.
Pride Ambulance CEO Brian Balow released a statement:
“Pride Care would like to acknowledge the tragic accident which took place early Sunday morning, involving numerous people, three of the victims being Pride Care Ambulance employees. Pride Care employee Trevor Stuck was killed, Brittany Despins remains in Critical Condition, and Kent Smith is in Serious Condition. Our focus and thoughts are on all of the victims and their families.
In a profession that is dedicated to saving lives, this is an extremely difficult time for our internal Pride Care family as well. We have the dual responsibility of both taking care of “our own” and taking care of our communities. The men and women of this profession are remarkable, strong, enduring people. We will get through this. We will honor the service of Trevor and the other victims by continuing to care for each other and the communities that we serve.
The nature of what we do is to take care of others, and so to be the recipients of the outpouring of support from our communities, as well as from Police, Fire, and EMS has been overwhelming. We are extremely grateful.
Accounts have been established for each of one of our employees at all Chemical Bank locations. If you would like to make a donation, you may stop at any Chemical Bank to contribute in the name of Trevor, Brittany, and/or Kent. All proceeds will go directly to the families.
Funeral services are pending and more information will be provided as it becomes available.”
