|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
August 10, 2005
Benzie deputy killed in crashByRecord-Eagle staff writer  Gunther, 27, died Tuesday morning while riding a motorcycle on Reynolds Road near the intersection of Fewins Road in Benzie County when a passenger car pulled out in front of him, police said. "He was just a super person," said Frankfort Fire Chief Eric Luxford, who knew Gunther for a decade. "He would do anything for you at the drop of a hat. He will be sadly missed. It is hard to replace a guy like that." Benzie sheriff's officials released a statement that Gunther, who was a four-year member of the department, was off duty when the accident occurred just after 7:30 a.m. Michigan State Police from Traverse City said it appeared a 2002 Buick Century driven by a 20-year-old woman pulled out from Fewins Road and into the path of Gunther's motorcycle. Police had not released the driver's identity by late Tuesday. The car sustained damage to the rear driver's side door and is registered to Brian Kelsey and Bonnie Lynn Tolar, both of Beulah, according to state records. Gunther was a volunteer firefighter with the Frankfort Fire Department for five years and worked as a Frankfort police officer before taking a job with the county. "There is a lot of law enforcement and fire officials that know him from this area and respected his dedication," said Luxford. Benzie Sheriff Robert Blank could not be reached for comment. Gunther's death is one of a handful of motorcycle-related accidents in northern Michigan this summer. Jeffrey Jay Lewis, 52, of East Lansing, was killed Saturday afternoon when he apparently crossed the center of County Road 643 in Centerline Township and struck a car driven by Leelanau County sheriff's deputy Mark Stevens. Another accident occurred when Deborah Widrig, 44, of Interlochen, was driving her motorcycle on U.S. 31 near M-37 at Chum's Corner when she was struck by an Elmer's Construction semi-trailer on July 29. She was seriously injured. Gunther had a clean driving record except for a citation in 1998 for driving without proof of insurance in Traverse City, according to state records. Gunther is survived by his two daughters, Kelly and Madison, his parents, a brother and two sisters, according to the sheriff's press release. Luxford said he planned to meet with his department Tuesday evening to discuss what firefighters can do to remember Gunther's service to the city. "He was into his job as an officer, and it was the same thing with fire (fighting)," said Luxford. "He was 100 percent all the time. He wasn't the type that would just stand back and watch. He always wanted to be the first one there."
|
|
Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
