UPDATE: Passing van collides with two pickups on M-35
UPDATE — 12:38 p.m. November 19th, 2015 (EST)
More information has been released regarding the three-vehicle accident on M-35 Thursday morning.
Deputies from the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office say 53-year-old William Belmore of Marquette was headed south on M-35 in his 2005 Chrysler van when he started to pass a semi-truck. This attempted pass was on an uphill curve that was fully marked and signed.
Belmore was then faced head-on by the northbound 2001 Dodge pickup driven by 54-year-old James Klumb of Marquette. Klumb attempted to avoid a crash by moving onto the shoulder, but the two vehicles still sideswiped one another. Klumb’s vehicle came to a stop at the road edge.
Belmore’s vehicle continued south and collided with the northbound 2014 Ford pickup driven by 45-year-old Lance Yunk of Palmer. Yunk was unable to avoid the collision despite attempting to brake.
Traffic was delayed for a short time while emergency crews cared for victims. Belmore was transported to UP Health System – Marquette by UP Health System EMS. Yunk sought his own treatment at UP Health System – Marquette. Police say Klumb was not injured.
Belmore was cited for reckless driving. All drivers were wearing seat belts and airbags only deployed on Yunk’s pickup.
RICHMOND TOWNSHIP — At least one person was sent to the hospital after a three-vehicle accident on M-35 early Thursday morning.
Responders were dispatched to the scene just north of Goose Lake in Richmond Township around 7:00 a.m. A silver Chrysler van, a white Otis work truck, and white Dodge truck were involved in the accident. Marquette County Sheriff’s Office Deputies on the scene told ABC 10 that passing was involved in the crash and that one person had been sent via ambulance to UP Health System – Marquette. The extent of any injuries is unknown at this time.
The Michigan State Police and Richmond Township Fire Department also assisted at the scene. We will have more information on this incident as it becomes available.