Full Notification

The Columbia Township Police Department is currently investigating a fatal accident that occurred at approximately 6:40 am on Monday, December 17, on Jefferson Road approximately ¾ of a mile West of the Brooklyn Village limits.

The vehicle, a 1999 Ford F350 pickup, was eastbound, coming into the curve just before the pond on the South side of Jefferson. It was a black ice condition. The driver lost control, went off the South side of the roadway, and rolled over, collapsing the roof of the truck.

The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle was Sean Michael Chappel, a 27 year-old male from Blackman Township. The victim was transported to Henry Ford Allegiance, where he was pronounced dead. Next-of-kin have been notified.

Neither alcohol nor drugs are believed to be factors in the accident, and it appears to be strictly related to slippery roads. There were no known witnesses to the accident. The first motorist on-scene reported that the victim was outside the vehicle when they came across the accident.

Although not involved in the initial accident with the F350 pickup, a second accident occurred in the same location involving another vehicle that also lost control, struck a tree, and tipped on its side, while personnel were still on scene from the initial accident. This second accident did not involve any injuries.