8/1/22 - Fund Raising Event Turns Deadly

A driver under the influence, runs into a group of bicyclists near Ionia.

IONIA COUNTY, Mich. - A suspected drunk driver ran into a group of bicyclists that were riding for Make-A-Wish Michigan Saturday morning.  Two men were killed and three others suffered severe injuries.

The Ionia County Sheriff’s Office said they were all men from the eastern part of the state.

The group was participating in the Make-A-Wish bicycle tour. 

The driver of the SUV, crossed a center line while trying to pass another vehicle and drove into the cyclists.  The driver was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death. The driver received medical treatment and was booked into jail.  

The sheriff’s office said one cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene and another was airlifted to a Grand Rapids hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Two of the other cyclists were taken to a hospital in Ionia, and the third was taken to Spectrum Butterworth in Grand Rapids.

Make-A-Wish Michigan announced that the third day of the Wish-A-Mile 300, the Wish-A-Mile 50, and the Wish-A-Mile Jr — all scheduled for Sunday — were canceled out of respect for the families involved.   The foundation said it would be offering counseling for riders, staff, and volunteers.