KALKASKA -- A fatal off-road vehicle collision in Kalkaska County's Orange Township left one downstate woman dead and sent two others to the hospital.
Michigan State Police are investigating a crash that happened around 12:15 a.m. Saturday on East Trail, a designated off-road vehicle trail near Antler Road. Witnesses reported the four-wheeler was moving east when the driver lost control at an intersection with Antler Road, police said.
Antler Road is a private road off of Hatley Road near Maple Creek and East Lake Swamp.
The ORV rolled and all three riders were thrown. None wore helmets and alcohol is believed to be a factor, said state police Sgt. Michael VanHorn, of the Kalkaska post.
Julieann Bryngelson, 27, of Flushing, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Two others were taken to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City for treatment, including Bryngelson's husband, Mark Bryngelson Jr., 29, of Flushing. He was the ORV's driver, police said.
The other injured passenger was Jamie Campbell, 26, of Flint.
Both Mark Bryngelson Jr. and Campbell were treated and released, a hospital spokesman said.
The fatality occurred nearly four months after new rules approved by Kalkaska County commissioners began to allow ORVs to operate along the side of county roads. The crash did not occur on a county road.
"It really has nothing to do with the new law," said Ryan Ascione, co-owner of Lakes and Trails Powersports in Kalkaska. "Just because they let you ride (ORVs) on the road doesn't mean there won't be those who will break the law."
State laws allow ORVs to operate after dark if there is a headlight, taillight and bright brake light. But three riders typically are too much for an ORV, state officials said.
"You cannot have more than one person unless there is a seat designated by the manufacturer for the second person," said Dean Molnar, assistant chief of the law enforcement division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The 2000 Polaris Sportsman four-wheeler in the fatal crash was not designed for more than one passenger, a local dealer said.
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