Oceana County deputies have identified the scooter rider killed in a Colfax Township crash on Friday as 82-year-old Byron Richard Purdy of Hart. Authorities say Purdy suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene after bystanders tried to save him with lifesaving measures. The county is now working to determine what led to the single-vehicle collision.
The crash happened around 2:10 p.m. Friday on North 176th Avenue, shortly after the scooter passed Dennis Keating Drive. Deputies report that Purdy was riding a 2008 Honda Ruckus southbound when he lost control, veered onto the road shoulder and was ejected from the scooter. He was not wearing a helmet and suffered severe injuries while passersby performed CPR until rescuers arrived, according to MLive.
Helmet safety and older riders
Public-health data show that helmets significantly cut the risk of death and serious head injury in crashes involving two-wheeled vehicles. The CDC and transportation researchers have cited roughly a 42% reduction in fatal injury and about a 69% reduction in head injury for riders who wear helmets compared with those who do not, highlighting the added danger when riders go without protection, according to the CDC.
Investigation underway
Oceana County sheriff's deputies say the crash remains under investigation and have not released information about possible contributing factors such as speed or impairment. The agency's crash report notes that Purdy was ejected and later pronounced dead at the scene, and deputies say they are following standard investigative procedures as they work the case. Those details were provided to the media by authorities, as reported by MLive.
How to help
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has video is asked to contact the Oceana County Sheriff's Office. Investigators say community tips can help them piece together what happened in the moments before the fatal crash.
