GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A 15-year-old and their parents have been arrested and charged in connection with a dirt bike crash that resulted in the death of an 87-year-old man in Presque Isle County earlier this month. Michigan State Police (MSP) announced the arrests on Monday.
The crash occurred on the evening of March 1 around 7 p.m. on County Road 451, located south of Rogers City. According to MSP, the elderly man was crossing the road to retrieve his mail when he was struck by the dirt bike on the shoulder of the road. Emergency responders airlifted the man to a nearby hospital, but despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on March 5.
After a thorough investigation, the Presque Isle County Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants for the teenager and both of the teen’s parents. The arrests took place on March 14.
The 15-year-old is facing multiple charges, including one count of involuntary manslaughter, one count of manslaughter with a motor vehicle, one count of reckless driving causing death, one count of a moving violation causing death, and one count of reckless driving. These charges stem from the fatal crash and the alleged reckless behavior that led to the man’s death.
In addition to the charges against the teen, both parents are facing a misdemeanor charge for allegedly allowing their child, who was under the age of 16, to operate an off-road vehicle (ORV) without proper supervision. According to Michigan state law, children under the age of 16 are prohibited from operating an ORV unless they possess a safety certificate or are directly supervised by an adult.
The misdemeanor charges against the parents carry a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail or a fine of up to $1,000.
A preliminary hearing for the 15-year-old has already taken place, while the parents are scheduled to appear in court on April 1.
The incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of following safety laws and the potential consequences of failing to do so. The legal proceedings in this case will likely prompt further discussion on child safety and the supervision of off-road vehicles across the state.
