SILVER LAKE, Mich. — A 20-year-old Coopersville man was killed in a crash at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes ORV area over the weekend, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. A 14-year-old passenger was also hurt.
The man was driving a Quad Runner when it crashed with a Can-Am Side-by-Side, killing the driver. That driver was later identified as Braden VanPutten.
The Oceana County Sheriff's Office said the original caller to Mason-Oceana 911 told dispatchers that a person had dumped their vehicle, was unconscious and both breathing.
When deputies made it to the scene, Silver Lake Park Rangers were doing CPR. AreoMed was initially put on standby but later called off.
The other vehicle involved a 36-year-old Milan, Michigan man, who had a 14-year-old South Rockford boy as a passenger. That teenager suffered non-life-threatening injuries from the crash and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The wreck happened in the northwest area of the ORV area between Lake Michigan beach and an area known by dune enthusiasts as "Sunset Hil."
One West Michigan man, Gavin Plume, was in a Silver Lakes Sand Dunes accident on August 10. 13 ON YOUR SIDE spoke with him about Sunday's crash and the dangers of the dunes. He said after being in a major crash, knowing the rules of the dunes could be the difference between life and death.
“In the areas where there's no speed limits or no directional area, just to be cautious and look around everywhere you can. Make sure you're going in the directional areas, going the right way if you're on them, and if you're in the areas where you can go either way, just be really cautious. A big thing is to have people with you have, like, go with a group of people, and be in different vehicles so you can have spotters and everything,” said Plume.
Despite serious injuries, both Plume and the rider survived.
Sunday's crash happened around 5:44 p.m. in the northwest portion of the ORV area at Silver Lake Sand Dunes, the DNR said.
Drugs or alcohol are not expected to be a factor in the crash. The condition of the other driver is unknown.
This is the second fatal crash in the ORV area this year. Safety signs were installed at the front gate to the ORV area in August.