Fatal Crash at N Rose and W North

July 28, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

Update: Kalamazoo Public Safety offers its condolences to the Colbert family for their loss, Dasani Lynn Colbert, a 1 year old resident of Kalamazoo.

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8139 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

Additionally, concerns have been raised in various social media outlets that this crash was related to police activities in the area. This is unfounded. A review of dispatch information and other resources showed there was not any police activity in the area. Public Safety asks for patience as a thorough and detailed investigation is completed.

Kalamazoo, MI: On July 28, 2017, at about 0559 hours, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers were dispatched to a crash at the intersection of N Rose St. and W North St. On arrival, officers located two vehicles (a passenger car and a minivan), began rendering aid to five people, and investigating the crash.

The driver of the passenger car was transported from the scene by ambulance to Bronson Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The driver was the only occupant of this vehicle.

The minivan had 4 occupants including the driver and three children. All occupants were transported from the scene by ambulance to Bronson.
• The driver and one child sustained non-life threatening injuries.
• A second child sustained significant injuries.
• A third child died as a result of the crash.

Kalamazoo Public Safety extends our heartfelt condolences to the Colbert family in this time of mourning.

This incident remains under investigation. No arrests have been made.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8139 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

Authority: Lt. Diaz

Date: July 28, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Shannon Bagley, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8139

Fatal Traffic Crash Under Investigation

June 11, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

***Update***

On June 11th, 2017, Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to a fatal traffic crash at the intersection of S. Burdick and Cork St. The 27 year old driver has been identified as Travis Wiley Gates from Portage, MI. Mr. Gates was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is still under investigation and the results from the autopsy performed will not be known for approximately 6-8 weeks. Kalamazoo Public Safety would like to extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Gates.

Authority: Ex. Lt. Brad Misner

On June, 11, 2017, at approximately 12:08pm, Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to a personal injury traffic crash at the intersection of Cork and S. Burdick. On arrival officers located a three vehicle crash in the intersection and three injured adults. Lives saving efforts were started immediately on all three people, but one passed away at the scene. The two other victims were transported to Bronson Hospital with critical and serious injuries. Through the initial investigation it is believed one vehicle was North bound on S. Burdick at Cork when the driver disregarded a traffic control device. Upon entering the intersection this vehicle struck two other vehicles that were East and West bound. Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash which is currently being investigated.

Anyone have information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

Authority: Lt Michael Kelley

Date: June 11, 2017, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Shannon Bagley, Criminal Investigation Division, 337-8139

Officers respond to fatal traffic accident on S Park St

November 28, 2016 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On Sunday, November 27, 2016 at approximately 8:14 PM, Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to a report of a single car accident on S. Park Street near W. Maple Street. Upon arrival, officers found a vehicle that had crashed into a tree. A 37 year old male victim was found inside the vehicle. Officers removed the victim from the vehicle and immediately started life saving efforts. The 37 year old Kalamazoo man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation shows that the vehicle was traveling north bound on S. Park near Crane Park when it left the roadway to the west, and onto the median, striking a tree. It appears that speed may have been a factor. The deceased man was identified as Joshua Andersen Locke of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety offers our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Lt. Craig Habel

Date: November 27, 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Bicyclist dies after crash with bus

November 3, 2016 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On Thursday, November 3rd, 2016, at 12:34 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to the 2200 block of S. Burdick Street on a report of an accident involving a bicyclist and a Metro Transit Bus. Upon arrival to the scene, responders found an unresponsive 17 year-old male lying in the roadway. Life saving measures were attempted however the bicyclist died from his injuries. Witnesses reported the bicyclist was traveling down a hill on Millview Ave, failed to stop at the stop sign and crashed into the side of the bus. Kalamazoo Public Safety continues to investigate the incident. The name has not been released pending family notification.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Lt. Matt Huber

**UPDATE**
Kalamazoo, MI: The 17 year old accident victim has been identified as Kendall Dontrel Savon Jackson from Kalamazoo. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety offers our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family.

By authority of: Lt. Craig Habel

Date: November 3rd, 2016

Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Motorcyclist dies from injuries sustained in crash

May 10, 2016 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On, Saturday morning, May 7th, 2016, at approximately 1:59 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to a motorcycle versus passenger vehicle accident. A 29 year old male was east bound on Michigan Ave when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a north bound Toyota Camry on Park St. The motorcyclist, identified as Vito Sweitzer, of Kalamazoo County, was pronounced dead at the scene due to the injuries sustained in the collision. Kalamazoo Public Safety wishes to extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Vito Sweitzer.

The driver of the Toyota Camry, a 51 year old Kalamazoo resident, sought treatment for broken ribs and leg pain. No other injuries were reported from the remaining three passengers. Through witness statements, it’s believed the motorcyclists failed to stop at Park St. The traffic crash is currently under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Lt. Brad Misner

Date: May 10th, 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139