COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Hundreds of community members and road commission employees from across Michigan gathered in Coldwater to honor the life of 46-year-old Casey Rice, a dedicated Branch County Road Commission worker who was tragically killed following a roadside accident.
On Thursday, scores of heavy trucks, orange maintenance vehicles, and service units from multiple neighboring county road agencies including groups like the Berrien and Kent County Road Commission lined West Chicago Street.
The massive fleet formed a sweeping ceremonial procession that escorted Rice following his visitation
To carry on his legacy of public service, a memorial scholarship for skilled trades is being established in his name.
The tragedy occurred on June 4, when Rice was driving tractor and mowing the grass in the median of southbound I-69 near the Newton Road Bridge.
A semi-truck rear-ended his mower with immense force, requiring Rice to be airlifted to a Kalamazoo hospital where he succumbed to his injuries two days later.
The Michigan State Police are currently investigating whether drug use by the truck driver was a contributing factor in the crash. State authorities are utilizing this preventable tragedy to strongly urge motorists to pay closer attention to active work zones and comply strictly with the state’s Move Over Law.
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