COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Road Commission employee who had his tractor struck by a semi while mowing along I-69 last Thursday has died.
Friends and family confirmed via social media over the weekend that 46-year-old Casey Rice succumbed to his injuries after being airlifted to Beacon Hospital in Kalamazoo following the accident that shut down the interstate for nearly nine hours.
Michigan State Police said in a news release on Friday that drug use may have been a contributing factor in causing the accident, but have not yet said what if any criminal charges the still unidentified truck driver may face.
The truck driver did suffer what were described as minor injuries, he was taken to Bronson Battle Creek Hospital for observation.
As of this morning funeral arraignments for Casey Rice have not yet been announced. WTVB news will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
That is so sad thoughts and prayers to his family and friends and co workers
Casey Joe, ( MY BABY BROTHER )
OMG HUNNY IM SO SORRY
YOU GOT HURT I MISS YOU SO MUCH
AS I TAKE A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE & THINK ABOUT OUR PAST
A TEARS RUNS DOWN MY CHECK AS
I THINK OF YOU AS IT ALWAYS DOSE & WILL TILL THE DAY I DIE
I CANT AMAGIN TRYING TO LIVE OUR LIFES WITHOUT YOU EVERYTHING WILL NEVER BE THE SAME BC YOUR NOT HERE
ALL I DO JOE IS THINK ANOUT YOU & CRY
IM SO PISSED OFF YOUR NOT HERE MAD AT THE WORLD BUT MOST OF ALL HEARTBROKEN BC YOU SHOULD BE HERE WITH US & YOUR NOT
I CANT EXCEPT THE FACT THAT YOUR GONE I DONT I WONT EVER LET YOU GO
BROTHER YOU WIll FOREVER LIVE
IN MY MEMORY & MY HEART
IM MISSING YOU SOMETHING TERRIBLE
CASEY JOE RICE
UNTILL WE ME AGAIN
YOUR BIG SISTER TRACY ANN