Man Dies, 6 Hurt When Ambulance, SUV Crash In West Michigan

SPARTA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Western Michigan authorities say a 63-year-old man was killed and six other people injured when he lost control of his SUV and struck an ambulance.

The crash happened about noon Wednesday in Kent County's Sparta Township, about 15 miles north of Grand Rapids.

The Grand Rapids Press reports police say Douglas L. Westra of Newaygo was unable to slow down for traffic ahead of him on M-37.

The sheriff's department says the six injured people were taken to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Life EMS Ambulance says in a statement that one of ambulances was transporting a patient when the crash occurred.

President Mark Meijer says he's saddened at the accident and says the company is directing "thoughts and prayers to everyone involved."

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