UPDATE: Michigan State Police initially arrested one person in this incident on Friday. However, after reviewing new evidence, MSP declared on Monday that the person was misidentified and has been released with all charges dropped. MSP says a new suspect is actively being sought. This article reflects the updated information from MSP.
A man is dead, a woman is in critical condition, and a driver is still being sought after a Friday night van-motorcycle crash.
Michigan State Police said that at 9:45 p.m. Friday troopers responded to a report of a crash with injuries on 90th Avenue near 67th Street in Van Buren County's Keeler Township.
The investigation revealed that a Covert resident was driving a Ford panel van westbound on 90th when the vehicle crossed the center line and crashed head-on with an eastbound motorcyclist.
The motorcyclist, Darek Jamal Bullock-Mills of Niles, was thrown from the vehicle, as was his 24-year-old female passenger.
Bullock-Mills was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger was transported by Med Flight to Bronson Kalamazoo Hospital. She was listed in critical condition Sunday.
Troopers said it was unknown whether the motorcyclist or the passenger were wearing helmets at the time of the collision.
Witnesses said the other driver's van was well across the center line and nearly struck another motorcycle traveling in front of the impacted motorcycle.
Initially, troopers identified one person as the driver of the van, arresting that person on charges of operating while intoxicated causing death and causing serious bodily injury.
However, on Sunday, troopers discovered new evidence about other passengers in the van, who left the scene before the officers got there. Troopers said on Monday that new evidence pointed to a different person as the driver of the van, and the one initially arrested as the driver has been released.
The updated suspect is still at large, but troopers say they are actively searching for that person.
The incident remains under investigation by the Michigan State Police.
