Speed, alcohol considered factors in Custer Road crash.

Speed, alcohol considered factors in Custer Road crash.

FREE SOIL TOWNSHIP — A 19-year-old Irons man was injured following a single vehicle crash on Custer Road south of Treml Road (and the railroad tracks) late Monday evening. Emergency personnel were dispatched at 11:35 a.m. Upon arrival, Free Soil/Meade Fire Department Chief Vince Williams reported the engine compartment of the Chevrolet Impala was on fire with the lone occupant, Dylan Maiville, was still in the vehicle. Williams was able to remove the driver and the fire was extinguished.

Speed and alcohol were a factor, according to Michigan State Police Trooper Matt Demny on scene. Demny said the vehicle was southbound on Custer Road and failed to navigate through the “s” curves across the railroad track. The vehicle hit an embankment, then a pile of rocks and then went airborne several feet in the air before crossing Custer Road and striking a tree.

Residents reported to 911 that they had heard tires squealing and then the continuous sound of a car horn blaring.

Maiville was transported by Life EMS ambulance to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital and was expected to then be transported by helicopter to a Grand Rapids trauma center. Demny said Maiville struck the steering wheel of the car causing the steering wheel to split in half.

The Michigan State Police was investigating with the assistance of Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

Emergency personnel cleared the scene at 1:01 a.m.

Demny said he would be turning over the police report to the Mason County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for consideration of charges.

Please consider helping to fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals who support our service. Click on the PayPal donation button located on the top right of our website. 

This story is copyrighted © 2021, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.

As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.