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Ambulance crash closes M-37; One dead

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KENT COUNTY, Mich. -- M-37 has re-opened after a fatal crash Wednesday afternoon north of 15 Mile Road.

The crash involved a Life EMS Ambulance and another vehicle.  The ambulance was in the process of transporting a patient.

According to Michigan State Police, 63-year-old Douglas Lee Westra of Newaygo was killed in the crash.   Police say Westra was driving north on M-37 when he left the roadway to avoid slowing traffic.  He then lost control of his vehicle and struck the southbound ambulance.

Aero Med responded to the scene and flew back to Grand Rapids with a patient on board.   It's unclear how many other people were injured in the crash.

Life EMS issued this statement Wednesday afternoon:

The safety of our patients, staff and all those we serve in the community is our number-one priority.  We are saddened to report that there has been a serious accident in northern Kent County late this morning which involved one of our ambulances transporting a patient.  As we have few details, our primary focus involves our thoughts and prayers to everyone involved. 

  • Mark Meijer, president of Life EMS Ambulance