Six years after one of the most horrific incidents of a motorist mowing down cyclists I've ever heard of, another such incident--if on a smaller scale--has taken place in Michigan. Aside from taking place in the Wolverine State, the two tragedies have this in common: an intoxicated driver.
On Saturday morning, cyclists were in the middle of a Make-A-Wish charity ride that spanned the weekend and state. Around 11:15 am, the driver of an SUV crossed the highway center line to pass another vehicle. The driver, whose name has not been released, struck five cyclists. One was pronounced dead at the scene; another was airlifted to Grand Rapids hospital, where he died. The other three cyclists suffered critical injuries.
The driver was arrested. Authorities are seeking two felony counts of operating while intoxicated, causing death.
Saturday's crash recalls, sadly, the one that killed Debra Ann Bradley, Melissa Ann Fevig-Hughes, Tony Nelson, Larry Paulik and Suzanne Sippel when they were out for a late-day summer ride six years ago. The driver plowed into them, and other riders (some of whom were injured) while under the influence. Four years ago, the driver--Charles Pickett, then 52 years old, was sentenced to 40 to 75 years in prison.
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