Troopers from the Michigan State Police Lakeview Post responded to a one-vehicle ORV crash on Monday, April 26, that resulted in serious injuries to a 9-year-old male driver from Pierson, MI. 

Troopers were dispatched to the scene at approximately 8:23 pm on Stanton Rd. near N. Long Rd. in Montcalm County, Pierson Township.  

Preliminary investigation revealed the ORV was being operated by a 9-year-old male driver on Stanton Rd. near Long Rd. when the male was thrown from the ORV. The male driver was not wearing a helmet and suffered serious injuries and was flown by AeroMed to Spectrum Health Helen Devos Children’s Hospital in critical condition.

The Michigan State Police continues to investigate this crash. Troopers were assisted by AeroMed, Montcalm County EMS, Sand Lake Fire Department and Montcalm Central Dispatch.

Check maps first

Many—but not all—state forest roads opened to off-road vehicle traffic on Jan. 1. Before riding, make sure roads are authorized for ORV use by checking online maps. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources forest roads maps are found at www.michigan.go/forestroads. 

“Due to frozen ground conditions, closed roads are not all marked yet,” said Deb Begalle, DNR Forest Resources Division chief. “Some roads remain closed to balance motorized recreational access with the need to protect our resources.”

Approximately 6,300 miles of roads in the state forest system in the northern Lower Peninsula will open to ORVs. About 1,200 miles of roads will remain closed.

Opening the roads to ORV use is authorized by Public Act 288, signed by Gov. Rick Snyder in September 2016. Besides opening roads, the statute required the DNR to inventory and map all state forest roads. 

Examples of areas that will remain closed to ORV traffic include the Pigeon River Country State Forest, Jordan Valley, Mason Tract, Deward Tract, and Sand Lakes Quiet Area, all of which emphasize quiet recreation. Other roads will remain closed to reduce conflict with non-motorized uses and protect natural resources.

A Crystal Township man died and a passenger was critically injured last Saturday, when the man’s ORV went through a hole in the ice on Crystal Lake.

According to the Michigan State Police in Lakeview, the crash occurred on Crystal Lake, in Montcalm County, at approximately 8:00 p.m., February 13.

The preliminary investigation found that an ORV being operated by Lee Avery, 52, of Crystal, was traveling across the frozen lake surface of Crystal Lake when control of the ORV was lost and it went into an uncontrolled slide across the ice. The ORV broke through a fenced in portion of the lake, where a Polar Dip event was held earlier in the day, at Crystal Lake’s Winterfest. The ORV then went into the hole that was cut in the ice for that event, submerging the ORV and the four people aboard in the lake.

Two of the passengers were able to exit the water, while Avery and the front passenger were still submerged. Bystanders were able to partially pull the ORV from the water utilizing a tow strap and pickup truck.

Avery and the other passenger were then attended to by rescue personnel on scene and ultimately taken to Carson City Hospital where Avery was pronounced deceased. The front passenger, a 25-year-old Crystal woman, was then taken to Spectrum Butterworth in Grand Rapids in Critical Condition. The two other passengers had no reported injuries.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol consumption is a factor in the incident as the investigation is ongoing.

Troopers were assisted on scene by the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Department, Carson City Police Department, Crystal Fire Department, and Montcalm County EMS.

Operators of off-road vehicles (ORVs) in Michigan are now able to obtain their required Safety Training Certificate by taking a Michigan-endorsed and approved course at www.ATVcourse.com.

“The online ORV safety education course offered by ATVcourse.com is another option for students to obtain their ORV safety certificate,” said Cpl. John Morey of the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. “The online content is modeled after our existing program and specifically tailored to Michigan.”

In Michigan, operators of ORVs under the age of 16 are required to have a Safety Training Certificate and be under the supervision of an adult to legally operate an ORV. While the training is not required for those 16 years of age and older, the DNR recommends all riders get the safety training.

Students who are unable to attend a traditional ORV classroom course may take this course as an option. The Michigan online ORV course will allow students to obtain the required safety certification on their own time, which will mean more young riders obtaining safety education in time to enjoy riding with their families.

To register for the online course (which is free to sign up and study for, and costs $29.95 upon completion), go to www.atvcourse.com/usa/michigan/.
For more information on ORV riding in Michigan—including trail maps, laws and regulations—go to www.michigan.gov/orvtrails.

Three women were injured in Spencer Township last weekend when the ORV they were riding on flipped over.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, the accident occurred just after 4:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 6. The women were riding on a 2012 Kawasaki side by side in a field behind a residence at 13800 Winter Valley Dr NE, when the driver attempted to turn but was traveling too fast, which caused the ORV to tip onto its side and eject all three occupants.

When the ORV tipped, it landed on the driver, and Aero Med was called to the scene. The driver, Angela Cassel-Flacks, 51, of Las Vegas, Nevada, suffered head and pelvic injuries, and was airlifted to Butterworth Hospital.

The other two passengers received injuries from being ejected. Injured was Brittany Dingler, 21, of Fenton, Michigan, who suffered head and leg injuries; and Jessica Cates, 24, of Utica, Michigan, who suffered a head injury. Both were transported to Butterworth by Rockford Ambulance.

Police said the ORV was meant for only two passengers, and the third passenger was riding in the cargo box, which had no seat restraints. None of the women were wearing seatbelts or helmets, and the ORV does have a roll cage.

Both Spencer Fire and Rescue and Oakfield Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene.

Department of Natural Resources Director Rodney Stokes informed the Natural Resources Commission at its April meeting Thursday that the DNR was lowering many fees at state forest campgrounds to align them more closely with fees at state parks and recreation areas offering similar amenities.

Most state forest campgrounds will have a $13 per site, per night fee rate (a reduction of $2). Campgrounds identified as equestrian state forest campgrounds, those associated with ORV trails, and the semi-modern Houghton Lake state forest campground will charge a $17 per site, per night rate (a reduction of $3).

Rates for group camps—identified either as a canoe camp, trail camp, or group camp–will remain at a fee of $6 per person, per night, while cabins remain at the $65 per night fee.

Approximately 270 campsites at a variety of state forest campgrounds spread over 11 counties can be reserved through the state’s on-line reservation system. For more information, visit www.midnrreservations.com.

“The goal is to create a quality atmosphere for a rustic camping experience in state forest campgrounds at an appropriate fee,” said Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation chief. “Also new this year will be the requirement to purchase a Recreation Passport to access all state forest campgrounds, in addition to Michigan state parks, recreation areas, and state-administered boating access fee sites.”

Winter is a beautiful time to experience Michigan’s outdoors. Whether riding a portion of Michigan’s groomed snowmobile trails or riding an off-road vehicle (ORV) to a favorite remote ice fishing hole, the Department of Natural Resources reminds riders to always exercise safety.
“With Michigan’s riding opportunities also comes inherent risks associated with motorsports,” said Gary Hagler, chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “It is each rider’s responsibility to ensure their safety and the safety of their passengers and bystanders.”
There are several common factors with snowmobile and ORV accidents in Michigan.  The DNR urges snowmobilers and ORV operators to take simple precautions this winter season.  Excessive speed, alcohol use, inexperience, failure to wear helmets, operating on roadways and unfamiliarity with terrain are some of the most common factors involved in accidents. Many fatal accidents have one or more common factors as contributing causes.
“Operators should respect the speeds that snowmobiles and ORVs are capable of attaining, and the demands that operating over snow and ice pose,” Hagler said. “Safety education is a crucial factor in safe and responsible snowmobile and ORV operation. Safety education is required for youths and highly recommended for all others.”
Persons interested in finding a safety course, go online to www.michigan.gov/dnr and click on the “Education & Outreach” menu and then select Hunter Education & Recreational Safety Classes.  Safety training classes are offered in a classroom setting and some are available online.
The DNR does not recommend operating on the frozen surface of water; however, the DNR recognizes that it is a popular activity.  If an ice crossing is unavoidable there are several safety concerns operators need to be aware of in the event they fall into the freezing water.
Once a person is suddenly immersed in freezing water, their respiratory system will automatically and instantly have an uncontrollable inhaling gasp reflex because of the cold shock. If initially under the water, individuals will inhale water into their lungs. It is critical to get your head above the surface and first get your breathing under control which will take at least one minute. If you do not control your breathing the chances of drowning sooner are exponentially increased. Once you have your breathing under control, get to the edge of the solid ice you were at before you fell in because you know that ice held your weight at one point.  Secure your arms on top of the edge of good ice.  Use your arms to lift your body up and kick your feet hard in a swimming motion while leaning over the good ice.  Get your upper body up onto the solid ice and roll away from the open water. Using self-rescue ice spikes, which typically consist of two plastic cylinders with spikes on one end connected with a line, can greatly assist in pulling yourself out of the water onto safe ice.  Once you are out, do not stand up immediately or you will have an increased risk of falling through thin ice again. Once far enough away from the open water, begin to crawl away and eventually walk.
If you’re unable to get yourself out of the water, ensure your arms and as much of your upper body are out as far as possible. Reach out as far as you can onto the ice and do not move your arms. This will hopefully freeze your clothes to the ice and keep you from falling farther back in and increase the chances of being rescued. You will lose effective movement in roughly 10 minutes, but you can remain conscious for up to two hours. You should yell or signal for help.
Do not remove any protective gear such as a helmet or jacket. Your appropriate protective gear (riding clothes, suit and helmet) will offer some degree of floatation and provide insulating qualities. Helmets, while not marketed as a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), are partially constructed of foam liners and offer about the same amount of buoyancy as a PFD. Wearing a helmet will also help retain body heat around your brain which would otherwise be lost quicker, hastening unconsciousness, if not wearing a helmet.
There are free safety videos available online to illustrate what to expect and how to react in cold water immersion scenarios. These videos made be viewed at:  http://www.yukonman.com/cold_water.asp.

Snowmobilers and ORV operators are reminded to:
•    Never operate under the influence of alcohol or drugs
•    Slow down
•    Wear safety equipment such as a helmet, eye protection,
protective clothing and insulated boots and gloves
•    Always operate with the flow of traffic and stay as far to the
right side of any legal road or trail
•    Always keep a machine in top mechanical condition
•    Never ride alone and always leave a travel plan with someone
•    Avoid, when possible, operating on frozen bodies of water
•    Avoid operating in a single file when operating on frozen
bodies of water
•    Wear a winter flotation suit whenever operating on the
frozen surfaces of water
•    Always be alert and avoid fences and low strung wires
•    Always look for depressions in terrain
•    Only carry passengers when the machine is designed to do so
•    Ensure that headlights and taillights are on at all times
•    When approaching an intersection, come to a complete stop,
raise up off the seat and look for on-coming  traffic
•    Always check the weather conditions before departure
•    Bring a cell phone and other basic safety gear (something to
start a fire with, rescue throw rope, self-rescue ice spikes, tow
strap, flashlight, compass, blanket, etc.)

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking qualified applicants to become volunteer ORV Safety Education instructors.

As part of long-standing ORV Safety Education recommendations, the DNR has implemented an ORV Instructor Academy.  The academy is free of charge and attendance is mandatory for all new successful instructor applicants.

There are three ORV Instructor Academies scheduled for the summer of 2011 and each class size is limited to 24 students. Each academy agenda begins on a Friday at 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The academies will be held at the DNR Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center located in northern Roscommon County.

The first academy will take place in June and it is completely full. The second academy is scheduled for July 22-24, and the third academy is scheduled for Aug. 12-14.

Individuals desiring certification as a DNR volunteer ORV Safety Education instructor must meet the following requirements:

– Be at least 18 years of age.

– Be a high school graduate or possess a graduate equivalency diploma (GED).

– Have no felony convictions.

– Have no misdemeanor convictions within the past three (3) years.

– Have no convictions that resulted in the revocation of ORV operation privileges within the last five years. (Other convictions of natural resource law violations are subject to review and may result in the rejection of any application.)

– Maintain a high moral, ethical and mental character.

– Be a graduate of Michigan’s, or another state’s ORV safety education program or other industry accredited safety programs (such as ASI, MSF and United 4WD).

Individuals who have a desire in teaching students to be safe and responsible ORV users may begin the application process by contacting the DNR Office of Marketing, Education and Technology at 517-335-3418.  The office will send the interested individual an application.  After submission of a completed application, a background check will be conducted. Successful applicants will then be contacted to schedule attendance at an ORV Instructor Academy.

Questions pertaining to the ORV Safety Education program can be directed to Cpl. John Morey at 989-619-3784.