Crawford Co Sheriff's Office News Release Monday August 7th, 2006

Crawford County Sheriff Kirk Wakefield states that on Monday August 7th, 2006 at approximately 2:50 pm, his office investigated a single vehicle accident that resulted in a double fatality.

Witnesses at the scene reported seeing the tan colored 1995 Buick Roadmaster exit Interstate 75 southbound to Four Mile Road. The vehicle was traveling at a fast rate of speed as it approached the intersection at which time the driver failed to stop, hitting the stop sign, crossed Four Mile Road, went airborne across the ditch and head on into 3 oak trees.

The vehicle had four occupants all of which were family members from Houghton Lake, MI. When deputies arrived on the scene, the driver Byron Thomas 73 y/o was found to be deceased. His wife, Goldie Thomas 78 y/o whom had been a back seat passenger was ejected from the vehicle and was also deceased on the scene. Neither of the deceased parties were wearing seat belts and investigators believe their lives may have been saved had they been wearing their seat belts. The couples daughter Charlotte Koshorek 55 y/o was the front seat passenger and was wearing a seat belt. She was transported to Grayling Mercy Hospital by EMS with face contusions and abrasions and a possible broken arm however is listed in stable condition. Her son Zachary M. Koshorek 12 y/o and the grandson of the deceased was a back seat passenger and also was wearing his seat belt. He too was transported by EMS with cuts and bruises and is stable condition.

Investigators believe that the driver became confused by the signs on Interstate 75 and thought he was merging onto US-127 south of Four Mile Road, rather than exiting onto the Four Mile Exit Ramp. The drivers daughter attempted to alert her father to slow down as they approached the intersection, however it was not in time. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in this accident.

This is third accident at this location within the past three years resulting in fatalities with similar circumstances. The last accident occurred November 20th, 2005 at 1:40 pm, when Ralph Greenisen 82 y/o from Bryan, Ohio was killed. His vehicle exited I-75 at a high rate of speed, crossed Four Mile Road, went airborne across the ditch and collided with the ground. Greenisen later died at Grayling Mercy Hospital, but had made statements to the 1st deputy on the scene that he thought he merged onto US-127 southbound.

According to the Crawford County Road Commission, the Michigan Department of Transportation has examined the signage at this location and feels it is proper with no need for any changes.

Agency’s assisting: Mobile Medical Response (MMR EMS)
                           Beaver Creek Township Fire and Rescue