NEWS MEDIA INFORMATION REPORT
SUBJECT OF RELEASE: Car vs. Horse drawn Buggy injury crash
DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at approximately 7:54 AM
LOCATION: Fenwick Road west of Miner Road, Bloomer Township
AUTHORITY/CONTACT PERSON: Sheriff Michael Williams
**********SECOND UPDATE**********
After a thorough investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and review by the Prosecutor’s Office, a 24 year old Hubbardston woman has been arrested in connection with the car vs. horse drawn buggy crash in March that led to the death of a local ten year old.
Tiffany Christiansen was charged with committing a moving violation causing death after she struck a horse and buggy from behind that was occupied by two Carson City area youths; the ten year old and his thirteen year old sibling. The charge is a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Christiansen is currently out on bond.
The original news release and one previous update are included at the end of this release.
**********UPDATE**********
The Sheriff’s Office has learned that the ten year old victim of Wednesday’s horse drawn buggy crash has died.
The thirteen year old occupant of the horse drawn buggy is still in DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapds and is listed in stable condition.
The case remains under investigation.
**********ORIGINAL**********
Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office responded to a car vs. horse drawn buggy crash on Fenwick Road west of Miner Road in Bloomer Township at approximately 7:54 AM on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
The investigation revealed that a 2011 GMC Terrain being driven by Tiffany Christiansen, aged 23 from Hubbardston, was travelling east bound on Fenwick Road when she collided with an east bound horse drawn buggy. The buggy was occupied by a thirteen year old and ten year old; both from Carson City. The youths sustained multiple injuries and were transported to Carson City Hospital and later flown via Aeromed to Devos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids with critical injuries. Christiansen had a five year old passenger and neither were injured.
Speed does not appear to be a factor in the crash however the angle of the bright, morning sun may have played a role. The occupants of the GMC were wearing safety belts as well as their air bags were deployed. The horse sustained significant injuries and was euthanized at the scene by the owners.
The Carson City Police Department, Montcalm County Emergency Medical Services, Carson City Fire, and Crystal Fire assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
