Teens crash into bench sitter, fountain

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - A pickup truck crashed into a person sitting on a bench and then landed in a fountain after a driving lesson went awry Thursday night in Ottawa County.

An unlicensed 16-year-old German foreign exchange student was learning how to drive from an 18-year-old. She was working the pedals and he had the steering wheel, police said.

The teens came to a parking spot in front of Keegstra's Dollar Store, 3499 Kelly St. in Hudsonville, but instead of hitting the brake the girl hit the truck's gas pedal, police said.

The vehicle went over a curb and hit Jason Ronning who was sitting on a bench and jumped up to push his son out of the way of the oncoming vehicle.

The truck then ended in a fountain.

Rescue personnel were called to the scene about 8:30 p.m.

Ronning was trapped under the vehicle. The 34-year-old was later taken to a hospital and listed in serious condition.

On Friday, she appeared in Ottawa County Juvenile Court and was charged with two misdemeanors - driving without a license and reckless driving -- and one felony count of driving without a license causing injury. She was released at the court and will be allowed to return to Germany on Monday, as previously planned.

Court officials admit if she doesn't return for her next court date, there isn't much they can do. They're hoping she honors her word and will return to the US to face charges.