Police ID motorcyclist killed in crash - Detroit Free Press
Police suspect distracted driving led to a crash that killed a 51-year-old motorcyclist Tuesday near Howell. Mark Thompson of the Brighton Post said the victim was 51-year-old Lawrence Pettis of Howell. A GMC Sierra pickup truck driven by a Howell woman struck Pettis from behind and pushed him into a third vehicle that was ahead of the motorcycle, Thompson said. Pettis was riding a 1989 Honda Goldwing motorcycle in the northbound lane when he was struck from behind by the pickup driven by a 31-year-old Howell woman. The impact pushed the motorcycle into the path of a 2002 Toyota Echo, driven by a 48-year-old Howell man. Thompson said Pettis slowed down, reacting to the vehicle in front of him. “Preliminary investigation indicated the driver of the GMC pickup may have been distracted prior to the crash,” Thompson said in an email. Both the woman and the Toyota driver, a 48-year-old Howell man, wore seat belts, he said. Thompson said alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the accident, adding that the investigation will be reviewed by the Livingston County prosecutor’s office to determine if charges are filed. Troopers were assisted on scene by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department, Howell Area Fire Department and Livingston County EMS. Source: www.freep.com
