1 dies, 1 arrested in airborne crash

RONALD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A passenger died and the driver was arrested following a crash in Ionia County.

Police said alcohol and weather conditions were factors in the wreck that occurred around 1:23 a.m. Wednesday.

A pickup truck was traveling north on Jefferson Road, north of Nickleplate Road in Ronald Township, when driver Brett Allen Petersen lost control, causing the vehicle to leave the road, police said.

The vehicle struck a culvert and an unoccupied vehicle for sale in the yard of a nearby residence, according to a news release from the Ionia County Sheriff's Department.

Evidence indicated the vehicle had become airborne for a short time and came to rest on its passenger side, police said.

Petersen, 26 from Greenville, was able to climb from the truck and call for help.

The two passengers -- 27-year-old Chad Ronald-Flashaar Saladin of Greenville and 35-year-old Ryan Lee Johnson of Greenville -- were not able to exit the vehicle.

After emergency crews removed the two passengers, Saladin died from his injuries.

An ambulance took Johnson to a Grand Rapids hospital for treatment to non-life threatening injuries.  

Petersen was arrested at the scene. He was charged Wednesday with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death -- a 15-year-felony. His bond was set at $25,000.

The sheriff’s department continues to investigate the crash.