courtesy of ourmidland.com
The Midland Police investigation into a motorcycle crash that took the life of a 62-year-old man has found that texting was not a factor.
Midland Police have identified the motorcyclist as Reggie Dean Schmalbeck of Auburn. He died after his 2008 HondaGL1800 and a 2013 GMC Yukon, driven by Vicky Lynn Sowden, 58, Midland, collided about 6:30 p.m. July 19.
Schmalbeck, who was wearing a helmet, was taken to MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland, where he died days later.
Sowden was not hurt.
The accident report states Sowden was headed east on Wheeler and was making a left hand turn to Swede. Schmalbeck was headed west on Wheeler when the GMC turned in his path.
Statements from four witnesses are included in the accident report, and each of them stated the SUV turned into the motorcycle’s path.
“There are no indications of any alcohol,” involved in the accident, Lt. Mike Sokol said. When asked about comments on social media regarding the involvement of texting, Sokol said witnesses were asked if they saw the driver of the GMC texting and all answered they did not.
The report on the accident has been sent to the Midland County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
