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New Details Released in Deadly Crash Involving Traffic Stop

Posted at 8:06 PM, May 23, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-24 00:51:40-04
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Kim Lora Photography (Hastings, Mi)

BARRY COUNTY, Mich. —  The Michigan State Police Wayland Post is currently investigating a deadly traffic crash that happened Thursday evening.

The crash happened along M-37 just north of M-79 in Hastings Township around 6:15 p.m.

State Police say multiple calls came in to Barry County Central Dispatch concerning a pickup truck driving erratically by traveling in and out of its own lane at various speeds.

A State Trooper from the Hastings Post was dispatched to the area to locate the vehicle and investigate, leading to a traffic stop.  A few seconds after the stop was made the truck sped away while continuing to go in and out of its lane at various speeds.

The State trooper pursued the vehicle for a short distance, however the truck ended up leaving the roadway and hitting a tree on the east side of M-37 just north of M-79.

The driver of the truck, who was the lone occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.  An autopsy will be performed at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.

The driver is a 68 year old man from Battle Creek.  His name hasn’t been released.  The cause of the erratic driving remains under investigation by the Michigan State Police.