Over the weekend, a four vehicle accident in Tuscola County claimed the life of a 52-year old Flint man, and in Huron County a vehicle pedestrian accident claimed the life of a 24-year old Bad Axe man.
By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
THUMB AREA — The Tuscola County and also the Huron County sheriff departments each report a fatal accident in their county over the weekend.
A 52-year old Flint man was killed Sunday during an accident about 4:38 p.m. on M-15 near Birch Run Road in Millington Township in Tuscola County.
There were two cars and two motorcycles involved in the crash, and the man who was killed was driving one of the motorcycles, explained Tuscola County Undersheriff Glen Skrent.
“Officers determined that a vehicle had been traveling north bound on M-15 and was preparing to make a left turn into a private drive. The driver of that vehicle was identified as Charles Dickinson, 65-years old from Davison,” said Skrent. “As he was turning, his vehicle was rear-ended by a vehicle also traveling north bound on M-15 that was driven by Jason Smith, 18-years old from Millington.”
The impact forced Dickinson’s vehicle into the southbound lane into the path of two motorcycles that were southbound on M-15 .
“One of the motorcyclist struck that vehicle when it came into its lane. The driver of that motorcycle, Byron Fritcher, 52-years old from Flint was killed instantly,” explained Skrent. “ Fritcher’s wife, Maria, 49-years old, was driving her own motorcycle and attempted to avoid the collision, but her bike struck her husband’s bike causing her to lose control.
“Her bike went down and she suffered serious injuries.”
Investigators believe Maria Fritcher was wearing a helmet and Byron Fritcher was not.
“Maria told investigators they were out riding their motorcycles visiting friends and celebrating their 22nd wedding anniversary,” noted Skrent.
An autopsy for Fritcher is scheduled to be performed later today, and the accident remains under investigation.
Also injured in the accident were Jason Smith and Charles Dickinson. They were transported to Flint area hospitals for treatment.
The accident remains under investigation.
According to Skrent, the police report will be forwarded to the Tuscola County Prosecutor’s office for review when it is completed.
Besides the sheriff’s department, Millington Police, Millington Rescue, MMR Ambulance service, and Fabbro’s wrecker also responded to the incident.
Huron County
Saturday about 10:44 p.m. in Huron County a 24-year old Bad Axe man was killed when he was struck by a vehicle while he was walking along Caseville Road near Woodhill Drive in Caseville Township.
“The preliminary investigation indicates Robert L. Boyce somehow entered the path of a northbound 2004 Dodge Caravan. The vehicle’s 29 year old male driver, Laurentiu Cociuba of Livonia and his seven passengers apparently never saw Mr. Boyce enter the roadway until it was too late,” said Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson.
“Mr. Boyce was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 11 p.m. by Medial Examiner Investigator Richard Koehler.”
No other injuries reported.
The accident remains under investigation.
Also, the Huron County Sheriff’s Department responded to an incident about 9 p.m., Friday, of a report of a sailboat in distress off of Port Austin.
Although the department marine crew were able to respond within 25 minutes visual contact was soon lost because of darkness.
“Using the patrol boat’s radar and FLIR system (thermo imaging), the unlighted 17-foot sailboat was located about 3.5 miles west-northwest of Port Austin, as it attempted to navigate in the 4 feet and building seas,” explained Hanson. “The sailboat’s operator Daniel Deacons of Kinde, advised he was having difficulties with the sailboat.
“He was taken tow by our patrol boat to Port Austin with out further incident.”
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.