IONIA, Mich. — The trial of Mandy Benn began Monday — more than a year after a crash that killed two cyclists and severely hurt three more. The first day of proceedings lasted well into the evening.
The now 43-year-old faces multiple charges relating to the deaths of Michael Salhaney and Edward Erickson — including two felonies carrying possible life sentences.
Salhaney and Erickson were part of a three-day endurance ride benefiting Make-A-Wish Michigan, which was to span across most of the state.
They were riding along Stage Road, just north of East Nickle Plate Road in Ionia County on July 30, 2022, when the SUV Benn was driving crossed the center line while trying to pass a UPS vehicle, veering into the group.
In addition to the death of Salhaney and Erickson, three other cyclists was injured in the incident.
Benn received medical treatment at the scene and was arrested.
During pre-trial hearings in November, witnesses testified Benn was acting erratically that day and recording suicidal thoughts in audio messages to a Facebook chat moments before the crash.
“I just want to find somewhere and kill myself… I’m not exaggerating; I want to die,”
- Audio messages attributed to Mandy Benn, recorded just before the deadly crash on July 30, 2022.
Police allege they found multiple narcotics when they searched the SUV she'd been driving and toxicology reports showed she is believed to have been on Suboxone, Hydrocodone and Lorazepam at the time of the crash.
Benn is alleged to have a history of both driving under the influence of amphetamines and recording live videos to social media while driving. She faces up to life in prison if found guilty.
The trial began Monday morning in Ionia County's 8th Circuit Court. Two cyclists who participated in the charity ride spoke about how the incident changed their lives forever.
One of them recounted the events leading up to the crash and what followed:
"When you try to pass a vehicle on a two-lane road, normally you kind of look to see if there's something there and then you come out more slowly," Tim Kolanowski recalled. "This vehicle did not come out slowly; this vehicle came out at basically full speed as far as I can tell. It didn't hesitate, didn't peek out around the corner, just came out and stayed in the opposite lane of traffic."
"The first recollection I have after the crash I was face down in the dirt," says Kolanowski. "I observed my mouth spinning out there and check for all my teeth. But the ground was pretty hard. It landed on my head as well. And so I checked it off we had on my teeth. And then I reached my hand up to my face... Then my hand comes back with blood all over it."
Kolanowski went on to say he sustained injuries to his ankle and rib, along with multiple lacerations requiring 13 stitches in his arm. He also had his wrist replaced.
One of the other cyclists, Roland Pascua, added that there was a lot of confusion after the crash and he was disoriented. He went on to describe his injuries, which led to him spending three months in the hospital. The injuries included a fractured radius, contusion of one of his lungs and fracture of his vertebrae.
The UPS driver that Benn passed was also called to the stand on Monday, and discussed the condition of Stage Road that day.
The trial is expected to last throughout the week, and will continue on Tuesday.
