COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – There was a bad rollover car accident early today in Branch County’s Ovid Township. Two of the five passengers riding in the Ford Explorer were ejected from the SUV and were flown out from the scene by helicopter following the crash shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday. All of those in the car are from the Coldwater area. Michigan State Police say driver, 24-year old Kara Hinson was northbound on Grass Lake Road near Pearl Road and told troopers she glanced down momentarily and when she looked up, the right side tires were off the road which caused her to lose control and the vehicle then rolled four or five times.
None of the 3 passengers in the back seat were belted in while those in the front seat were using seat belts. 26-year old Evin Earl and 22-year old Amber Kenly were ejected. Earl was flown to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo and Kenly went to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Ft. Wayne.
Front seat passenger 36-year old Matthew Clipfell was also seriously injured and rushed to Parkview by ambulance since a third requested medical helicopter was grounded by foggy weather. Hinson, and the other back seat rider, Erin Earl, were treated for their minor injuries at the Community Health Center of Branch County.
The accident remains under investigation although troopers said speed was not a factor. The Lakeland Fire Department assisted State Police and set up the landing zone for the helicopters.
