BATAVIA TOWNSHIP, MI (WTVB) – A Branch County Sheriff’s Department deputy is recovering at home after he was injured Tuesday afternoon when his patrol unit was struck by a semi on U.S. 12 near Garfield Road. The crash was apparently caused by a road rage incident.
Branch County Undersheriff Keith Eichler says Deputy Kevin Butters suffered injuries to the left side of his body as the patrol unit was struck on the drivers side.
Butters was released after being treated at ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital. Air bags and his seatbelt are being credited with preventing more serious injuries.
Michigan State Police are investigating the crash which was reported at 3:22 p.m.. They indicate the westbound deputy was turning to go east on U.S. 12 and pursue the drivers involved in the apparent road rage incident when the patrol unit was struck by the semi which could not stop in time.
The driver of the semi was not ticketed. The patrol unit was totaled according to Eichler. He says Butters had his lights and siren activated.
Eichler also reports that the two alleged road rage drivers were later found and stopped by Coldwater Police and the Sheriff’s Department.
Branch County 9-1-1 logs indicate they were stopped in the area of Taylor and Pierson Streets in Coldwater. The investigation into the actions of those drivers continues and charges are expected to be filed.
U.S. 12 near Garfield was shut down as the crash was cleaned up and an investigation was conducted.
The Bronson Fire Department, officers from the Union City and Coldwater Police Departments and Life Care Ambulance were also at the scene.
Butters has been with the Sheriff’s Department for about a year-and-a-half.
10 to 1 they blame the truck driver and ruin his career rather than the cop that failed to safely begin a chase.
Road rage is a growing problem on all of our highways. I have seen my share of bad actors on M86 and US 12. No give and take anymore or common courtesy. Lots of anger out there and its sign of the times we live in. Be prepared for the worst.