Homicide charge expected for driver who hit 10 motorcycles

lofsfire

Active member
Anyone see this story?

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http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20120601/FON0101/206010410/1-man-dead-car-hits-10-motorcycles-Highway-151-accident-north-FdL


A 25-year-old Hilbert man will face a homicide charge for allegedly driving his car into 10 motorcycles Thursday afternoon in Fond du Lac County.The suspect was in fair condition at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Dean Will said Friday.One motorcyclist is dead and nine people were injured in the multi-vehicle crash on Highway 151 north of Fond du Lac. The Sheriff’s Office said the driver’s car crossed the centerline and into the path of 12 motorcycles around 3 p.m. between Gladstone Beach Road and Welling Beach Road in the Town of Taycheedah. Two of the cycles were not hit.The motorcyclists, all males, are from Michigan. Daniel Lee Winsemius, 59, of Twin Lake, was pronounced dead at the scene.Charges of felony bail jumping and homicide by negligent use of a motor vehicle will be referred to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office, Will said. The Hilbert man, who was driving his mother’s car, will be taken into custody once he is released from the hospital.A sample of the man’s blood will been sent to the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, Will said.“It’s customary to send in the blood. But we have belief that there may be other conditions that may have contributed to the crash,” Will said.The man has criminal convictions on drug-related offenses and a burglary. He also has more than four operating with a suspended license traffic offenses, according to online court records.During a news conference Friday afternoon at Theda Clark, a doctor described one of the three critically injured motorcyclists as a “miraculous save” after he went into cardiac arrest inside a helicopter.“He underwent CPR on the helicopter,” Director of trauma Dr. Ray Georgen said. “He was shocked on the way from the helicopter to the trauma room. He was shocked in the hallway. He was shocked in the room. Things were not looking good, but he pulled it out.”All of the motorcyclists were wearing helmets.“There is no doubt in my mind that there would have been more fatalities associated with this if people did not have helmets on,” Georgen said.
The injured motorcyclists are:
• Eric Charles Vandam, 52, of Muskegon, Mich., is in critical condition at Theda Clark Medical Center.
• Douglas Wayne Williams, 58, of Muskegon, Mich., is in critical condition at Theda Clark Medical Center.
• Douglas Allan Yonkers, 43, of Muskegon, Mich., is in critical condition at Theda Clark Medical Center.
• Marvin John Vanderkolk, 63, of Fruitport, Mich., was treated and released from St. Agnes Hospital.
• William Brad Groom, 57, of Muskegon, Mich., was not injured.
• Garry Lee Ferris, 52, of Muskegon, Mich., is at St. Agnes Hospital. His family is not releasing a condition update, said a hospital spokesperson.
• Leland Roe Johnson, 58, of Muskegon, Mich., is at St. Agnes Hospital. His family has opted to not release any information, said a spokesperson.
• Lawrence Charles Monroe, 59, of Muskegon, Mich., was treated and released from St. Agnes Hospital.
• Paul Czekus, 57, of Ravenna, Mich., was treated and released from St. Agnes Hospital.
• Guy Vernon Weersing, 58, and Mark Steven Messany, 51, both of Muskegon, Mich., were traveling with the group and were not involved in the crash.
Amy Puls, a registered nurse with Flight for Life, said the crash scene looked like “a bowling alley with a bunch of bowling pins that were actually motorcycles.”
“Putting that aside and just focusing on your patient is difficult, but you have to do it,” she said. “You have to step up. That’s your job.”
Puls made two flights to transport patients to Theda Clark.
Georgen praised the efforts of passers-by, paramedics, police officers, firefighters, flight personnel and the trauma team to deal with the magnitude of the crash and injuries.
“I’m told there were passers-by who were stabilizing necks and putting blankets on people who were involved in the crash,” he said.
The families of the motorcyclists have set up a fund at PNC Bank in Grand Rapids, Mich., under the name MMG Motorcycle Tragedy. Donors can contribute at any PNC Bank.
“There’s a groundswell of ‘How can we help the families and individuals involved in this crash,’” Georgen said.
Georgen said the motorcycle victims would be in the intensive-care unit “for extended periods of time.”
 

gary_in_neenah

Super Moderator
Staff member
more information

Most of the men were riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and wearing helmets and eye protection. They are members of a group calling itself the Muskegon Motorcycle Gang.


The riders were taking part in the annual "Bridge Run" to the Mackinac Bridge and back, the Muskegon Chronicle reported.


The Hilbert man, who was driving his mother’s car, will be taken into custody once he is released from the hospital. The sheriff’s departmetn will refer charges of felony bail jumping and homicide by negligent use of a motor vehicle to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office.
 

skiroule

Well-known member
I’ve looked at the photos and videos of this incident (I refuse to call it an accident). “Horrific” is the only word that comes to mind. It appears to me that this individual that hit these bikers had no real redeeming value to society. He was apparently driving his mother’s car – must just make a mother proud. Many studies have shown that a certain segment of the population actually prefers permanent prison life. It seems like this guy is tailor-made for that outcome.

My heart goes out to the riders and their families. I have no doubt that the survivors will always wear a tribute to their fallen friend.
 

michaeladams

New member
People like that make me sick! Long criminal record, bail jumping. He shouldn't even be allowed the option of court procedings. Just throw that piece of scum away and lose the key. rest in peace for the one and prayers to the others.
 

michaeladams

New member
even if they were to say it was due to mechanical breakdown. He still should have not been on the road. although i'm sure it will be dui or texting or something like that.
 

gary_in_neenah

Super Moderator
Staff member
Update; Monday Afternoon

A Hilbert man accused of driving into 10 motorcycles last week in Fond du Lac County, killing one and critically injuring three others, has been released from the hospital and is in jail.

The 25-year-old man faces charges of homicide by negligent use of a motor vehicle and felony bail jumping.

He appeared on the Fond du Lac County Jail list Monday but did not make an initial appearance.

Meanwhile, Muskegon, Mich., motorcyclists Eric Charles Vandam, 52; Douglas Wayne Williams, 58, and Douglas Allan Yonkers, 43, remain in critical condition at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, said Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Capt. Dean Will.

The Hilbert man’s car crossed the centerline into the path of 12 motorcycles around 3 p.m. May 31 on Highway 151 between Gladstone Beach Road and Welling Beach Road in the town of Taycheedah, according to the Sheriff’s Office report. Two cycles in the group were not hit.

Two members of the Muskegon Motorcycle Gang are scheduled to be released from St. Agnes Hospital this week, said Will.

Will said the homicide charge stems from the driver’s act of crossing the centerline and killing Daniel Lee Winsemius, 59, of Twin Lake, Mich.

It may take three weeks before police receive results of the 25-year-old’s blood sample that was sent to the Wisconsin State Crime Lab.

The driver has not confessed to the crash, police said.

“He didn’t remember anything,” Will said.

More charges could be added in the future, Will said.

“Depending upon what the blood results show, what happens to the other three at Theda Clark and the injuries suffered, there will be some (additional) charges down the line,” Will said.

The suspect has criminal convictions for drugs and burglary. He also has more than four operating with a suspended license traffic offenses, according to online court records.

He was driving his mother’s vehicle the day of the crash. He was free on signature bonds in two cases in Calumet County involving bail jumping and drugs.
 

MZEMS2

New member
"He didn't remember anything......."
Wow, there's a surprise. Very interested to see the blood results on this one. I wonder how the guys were riding, if they were side by side or staggered or what. You'd think a few of them could have dodged it. makes me think they were side by side if he mowed them all over. What a bad deal. I agree with forementioned, this guy will never contribute anything positive to society. Why let him sit in jail on our dime?. I got a $.10 bullet.
 

upbarleyboy

New member
As much as I don't want to believe it, I get the feeling this was a deliberate act. Fortunately, a couple of them were able to avoid the carnage. This stretch of road is 2 lane. If both the bikes and car were travelling at 60-65 miles per hour, that leaves you zero reaction time in the event a car swerves into your lane. Whether riding staggered (which is the proper way to ride as it give you more reaction time and a better sight line) or riding side by side is basically a moot point in this situation. With 12 bikes in the group, if something goes wrong, you're looking at a domino effect. These poor guys never had a chance. As a fellow biker, I hope the injured recovery fully, the deceased can rest in peace, the families feel the power of the many prayers, and the scum that was driving the car rots in he*# for all eternity.
 

sixball

New member
Its just amazing how many chances we give some of the chronic law barkers. How often do we see this, the person involved in crime has been cough and released time and time again.
 

jr37

Well-known member
According to our local news, he has been charged with 2nd degree reckless homicide and other charges for the injured.
 

polarisrider1

New member
Been living it daily, the MMG is just 8 miles north of our riding groups (Eagle Riders)club house. We hook up with them and the "Abandoned Few" MC on wednesday bike night. This wednesday will be a somber one for sure. Everyone seems to know everyone in the clubs and many prayers have been said. The MMG is a fun loving bunch. Hope their club the best through these times.
 

gary_in_neenah

Super Moderator
Staff member
Driver Identified & First Appearance in Court

FOND DU LAC — Bail has been set at $75,000 for a Hilbert man accused of driving into 10 motorcyclists last week in Fond du Lac County, killing one and critically injuring three others.

Clinton H. Lovelace, 25, was charged Tuesday morning with second-degree reckless homicide, three counts of second-degree reckless injury, second-degree reckless endangerment and felony bail jumping.

The charges may change once blood results return from the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, said Assistant Dist. Atty. Andrew Christenson.

Two unused syringes were located in Lovelace’s clothes after the crash. A deputy reported the substance might be LSD, according to the criminal complaint.

The car Lovelace was driving, owned by his aunt/legal guardian, crossed the centerline into the path of 12 motorcycles about 3 p.m. May 31 on U.S. 151 in the Town of Taycheedah, according to police.

Daniel Lee Winsemius, 59, of Twin Lake, Mich., was killed at the scene. Muskegon, Mich., motorcyclists Eric Charles Vandam, 52, Douglas Wayne Williams, 58, and Douglas Allan Yonkers, 43, remain in critical condition at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 15.
 

lofsfire

Active member
FOND DU LAC — Bail has been set at $75,000 for a Hilbert man accused of driving into 10 motorcyclists last week in Fond du Lac County, killing one and critically injuring three others.

Clinton H. Lovelace, 25, was charged Tuesday morning with second-degree reckless homicide, three counts of second-degree reckless injury, second-degree reckless endangerment and felony bail jumping.

The charges may change once blood results return from the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, said Assistant Dist. Atty. Andrew Christenson.

Two unused syringes were located in Lovelace’s clothes after the crash. A deputy reported the substance might be LSD, according to the criminal complaint.

The car Lovelace was driving, owned by his aunt/legal guardian, crossed the centerline into the path of 12 motorcycles about 3 p.m. May 31 on U.S. 151 in the Town of Taycheedah, according to police.

Daniel Lee Winsemius, 59, of Twin Lake, Mich., was killed at the scene. Muskegon, Mich., motorcyclists Eric Charles Vandam, 52, Douglas Wayne Williams, 58, and Douglas Allan Yonkers, 43, remain in critical condition at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 15.


Why is the bail so low for this guy? I mean in the one story
He was free on signature bonds in two cases in Calumet County involving bail jumping and drugs.
And how do they release someone on a signature bond in two cases that involve "BAIL JUMPING"! Doesn't that make him a flight risk already?
 
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