Elmira Man Dies in High-Speed Motorcycle Crash

CHARLEVOIX COUNTY, MI.- On Saturday, July 6, 2024, at approximately 9:48 p.m. troopers from the
Michigan State Police (MSP) Gaylord Post responded to a motorcycle crash involving two other vehicles on Thumb Lake Road near Springbrook Road in Boyne Valley Township. The rider of the motorcycle, a 40-year-old man from Elmira, was transported to McLaren Hospital in Petoskey where he later died from his injuries.

Prior to the crash, a trooper was on a traffic stop in Emmet County when he observed a motorcycle
traveling at a high rate of speed. An officer from Petoskey Department of Public Safety located the
motorcycle on US-131 and attempted a traffic stop. The motorcycle fled traveling approximately 110
mph. The officer did not pursue. Approximately 25 minutes later a motorcycle and rider matching the
description of the fleeing one was reported as being in a crash on Thumb Lake Road.

A 68-year-old Kalkaska man was traveling west bound on Thumb Lake Road driving a Ford F-250 and pulling an enclosed trailer. The driver said he saw a dark object he believed to be a motorcycle go past him at a high rate of speed. He heard the motorcycle sideswipe his trailer and he immediately pulled over.

A 54-year-old woman from Mancelona was traveling east bound on Thumb Lake Road in a Ford F-150 when suddenly she felt and heard something slam into the back of her truck. She realized a motorcycle had struck her from behind and she pulled over.

A witness said they saw the motorcycle heading down US-131 and quickly turn on Thumb Lake Road at a high rate of speed. Another witness stated the motorcycle passed over a double yellow line while she was east bound on Thumb Lake Road at speeds estimated over 100 mph. Shortly after the motorcycle passed, she heard a loud noise and saw debris in the air.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by deputies from the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Office, Boyne
Valley Township EMS, and Jordan Vally EMS.