04/19/13 On Wednesday, April 17th at approximately 5:57 P.M. the Marshall County Police Department received a 911 call in reference to a two vehicle accident. The caller advised dispatch that the two vehicles had hit head on near the intersection of Michigan Road and 5A Road.
Arriving at the scene witnesses told Officer Ryan Hollopeter that the blue, Dodge Durango driven by 37 year old Nicholas G. Donahue of Rochester was headed southbound on Michigan Road near the intersection of 5A Road. The white, 4-door Buick driven by 54 year old, Gary l. Richard of LaPaz was traveling northbound on Michigan Road. From witness statements and evidence at the scene it was determined that the Durango crossed the center line striking the Buick head on.
Marshall County Coroner Bill Cleavenger and Deputy Coroner Bridgett Lowrey were called to the scene and determined that 54 year old, Gary L. Richard of LaPaz died upon impact sustaining massive internal injuries.
The passenger in Richard’s vehicle, 53 year old Carol J. Wagers of Plymouth and Donahue were transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend with unknown injuries. Thursday afternoon Memorial Hospital listed Mr. Donahue in fair condition while no information was available for Bridgett Lowrey.
It was advised by the Coroner’s Office that all fatal accidents require testing for drugs and alcohol as those results are still pending.
Assisting at the scene were the Marshall County Police Department, Polk Township Fire, EMS LaPaz Fire and EMS, and Plymouth Fire and EMS. Due to the substantial amount of damage to the vehicles both Lyons Wrecker Service and Carnegie Towing assisted in the removal of the vehicles.
Michigan Road was closed for more than two hours for this accident.
Officer Hollopeter is continuing to investigate this accident.
