TRAVERSE CITY, MI : Snowplow crash investigation continues on Thursday, March 9th 2017

Jory Kruck questions Kalkaska County Road Commission officials' decision to allow a snowplow driver to continue working during an investigation into a collision between his road commission truck and her family's pickup truck.

The man who drove the snowplow — Jeremy Larabee, 39, of Kalkaska — will be ticketed for his role in the crash, said Kalkaska County Undersheriff Harry Shipp. County prosecutors declined a warrant request and recommended deputies issue Larabee a ticket, according to police reports obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

It's unclear whether Larabee will face any additional repercussions.

“We were really hoping he would at least have been suspended until the investigation is complete,” Kruck said. “We don’t feel he should be on the roads when he caused that big of an accident until they find out what happened.”

A pair of investigations were launched after Larabee drove a snowplow through the flashing red light at the intersection of U.S. 131, Boardman and Supply roads at about 10 p.m. and crashed into the Kruck's Chevrolet Silverado. Road commission Manager John Rogers said he will conduct an internal review while sheriff’s officials continue their own probe.

Larabee told deputies he stopped at the intersection, didn't see any vehicles approaching, and crossed westbound from Boardman Road to Supply Road, the reports state.

"All of a sudden I see headlights, stopped, and (I was) broadsided," he said, according to the report.

Deputies found Larabee at-fault for the crash, according to reports. Rogers said he will examine the incident before proceeding with potential disciplinary action.

“The bottom line is, I’m going to do an internal investigation and due diligence, and until that is done, no decisions will be made,” he said.

Larabee did not immediately return calls requesting comment.

He joined the road commission about two years ago and Rogers said he has not been involved in any other crashes during that time.

“Jeremy has his rights and he is a great employee of the road commission,” Rogers said. “He’s been an asset to the road commission and the safety of the public.”

Kruck continues to call for Larabee’s suspension, at least until the investigation concludes.

She was treated for injuries to her back, shoulder and leg since the crash. Her husband and son also suffered minor injuries, she said.

The road commission's handling of the situation is more concerning than the crash itself, she said.

“We had our 3-year-old son in the vehicle with us and thankfully he’s OK, but the crash could have gone a different way,” Kruck said. “I feel like they are treating it, basically, like nothing happened.”

Rogers declined to respond to Kruck’s statement, other than pointing to his internal investigation.

Source :
Snowplow crash investigation continues