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Rescuers assist Mayor Baxter
SCOTTVILLE — The Michigan State Police has been called in to investigate the Thursday morning accident involving Scottville Mayor Joe Baxter. The accident occurred past the deadend of East Second Street around 8:30 a.m.
Witnesses said they saw Baxter’s truck go by at a high rate of speed, going past the intersection of Second and Elm streets, through the deadend and down into the deep ravine. Baxter lives on South Elm Street around the corner from where the accident took place.
Scottville and Custer fire departments, Life EMS and Scottville police initially responded. Baxter was walking around when rescue personnel arrived but was transported up the deep hill by a stokes basket. He was then transported to Memorial Medical Center for evaluation.
Scottville Police Chief Mark Barnett said Michigan State Police has been called in to investigate, which is normal procedure when a city official is involved. When asked about a potential conflict of interest because City Commissioner Dave Johnson serves as an MSP detective, Barnett said the state police was still the best choice to provide the most objective investigation.
Story and photo by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
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