Full Notification

Sheriff Richard J. Behnke reports on 05/20/2022 at approximately 1514 hours, his office investigated an injury crash, involving multiple vehicles. The crash occurred on M-40 Hwy, south of Brody Rd, Marcellus Twp., Cass County, Michigan.  
 
Responding deputies located multiple vehicles involved in the crash.  The driver of the first vehicle was identified as Dean Miller, 58 yr., of Mendon, MI.  The second driver was identified as Keisha Sylvester, 31yr., of Kalamazoo, MI. The third driver was identified as Loretta Ransbottom, 66 yr., of Marcellus, MI. The fourth driver was identified as Julie Hicks, 60yr., of Marcellus, MI. The fifth driver was identified as Sarah Beurmann, 40yr., of Marcellus, MI.
 
Initial investigation shows Sylvester was traveling south on M-40 and attempting to turn east onto Brody. Miller was traveling south on M-40, failed to stop and collided with Sylvester. Sylvester’s vehicle traveled into the northbound lane of M-40, and collided with the side of a Marcellus School bus, driven by Ransbottom. Sylvester’s vehicle continued traveling in the northbound lane of M-40 and caused a head on collision with Hick’s vehicle. A Marcellus School Bus, driven by Beurmann, traveling north on M-40, was unable to stop and collided with Hick’s vehicle.  
 
Sylvester was entrapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated by Marcellus Fire Department. Pride Care Ambulance transported Sylvester to Bronson Kalamazoo, for non-life threatening injuries. No students on either school bus sustained injuries during the crash.
 
 All drivers were wearing seatbelts on and airbags deployed in three vehicles.  At this time, deputies do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash. This crash remains under investigation.
 
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by MSP Post 51, Pride Care ambulance, Marcellus Fire/Ambulance, Newberg Fire and Lawton Fire and Ambulance