HOLLAND, Mich. — Holland police hope a possible witness to a fatal crash last Sunday night will come forward.
The Department of Public Safety says in a news release investigators have determined there was another vehicle traveling northbound in the area of the accident at the time, and they’re trying to identify that vehicle or its driver.
The single-vehicle crash occurred April 1 around 11:35 p.m. on northbound River Avenue near the curve just north of W. 1st Street. The DPS says the car involved in the accident, a black 1996 Honda Civic, struck a pole on the east side of River Avenue. Two people were pinned inside.
Janelle Ortega, 21, of Holland, was the passenger rescuers pulled from the car. She was initially taken to Holland Hospital then taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, where she was last listed in critical condition. Meanwhile, the driver, William Montano, 34, of Holland, was declared dead at the crash scene.
Police had said in a previous news release that speeding and alcohol were “believed to have been factors” in the crash. Now they’ve learned another vehicle was traveling in that area at the time, although it was not involved in the crash. However, investigators think whoever was in the passing vehicle may have witnessed something related to the accident. So they’re asking anyone with information as to the identity of the vehicle or the driver to contact the Holland Department of Public Safety’s Sgt. Jon Boeve at (616)-355-1737. You also may call Silent Observer anonymously at 1-877-88-SILENT, or email investigators.
