LANSING, Mich. -- State Representative Peter Pettalia has passed away following a motorcycle crash.
Sheriff Don Edwards tells The Alpena News Republican state Rep. Peter Pettalia was killed Monday evening in an accident on M-33 South in Montmorency County.
Michigan State Police say Pettalia was killed in a motorcycle accident after he collided with a pickup truck that turned directly into his lane of traffic.
The crash occurred at 5:30 p.m. Monday on southbound M-33 in Montmorency County's Loud Township in northern Michigan. Pettalia, who was wearing a helmet, struck the truck broadside, according to a state police statement issued Tuesday.
The driver of the pickup truck was alone and not injured.
State troopers and Montmorency County sheriff's deputies continue to investigate the accident.
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Ronna Romney McDaniel on Monday released the following statement:
“Representative Pettalia was a tremendous public servant during his far too short time in the Michigan House. He was a tireless advocate for the people of his district and their interests in Lansing. His commitment to his constituents cannot be overstated. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
State Rep. Peter Pettalia of Presque Isle was elected in November 2010 to his first term in the Michigan House. He represented the 106th district in the north east portion of Michigan's lower Peninsula.
Pettalia was a sponsor of the repeal of Michigan's motorcycle helmet law in 2012.
Pettalia was born in 1955 and was married to his wife Karen. The couple have two grown children and resided in Presque Isle Township for almost 30 years. According to theMichigan House Republicans, Pettalia was a fan of sports and the outdoors. He also was a member of the Presque Isle Museum Society, the Alpena Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Alpena Downtown Development Authority.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
