BRANCH COUNTY, Mich. — An 83-year-old man died when the four-wheeled vehicle he was driving struck a tree Sunday morning.
At 10:01 a.m. Sunday, the Branch County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a personal injury accident on Gilead Lake Road, just south of Schmidt Road in Bethel Township. Upon arriving at the scene, deputies a crash victim who was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was identified as Roderick "Rod" Hathaway, 83, of Bronson.
The investigation showed that Hathaway was riding a four-wheeled side-by-side northbound on Gilean Lake when the vehicle crossed over the roadway, rolled over and hit a tree. Hathaway was thrown from the four-wheeler.
He was the lone occupant and was not wearing a seat belt.
The Bronson Fire Department, Lifecare Ambulance and Air-Care Helicopter assisted at the scene.
The accident remains under investigation by the sheriff's office.
