An accident in Orange Township was called in about 6:40 p.m. on February 28. This occurred on eastbound Interstate 96 near the mile marker 69.
Preliminary reports for the first accident indicated that an unnamed 27-year-old female was driving a GMC Safari van eastbound. She was gaining on a semi also in the same lane and waited until the last second to veer and lost control and rolled over.
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Two children were ejected from the van, but they were not injured too seriously. They are estimated to be ages seven and three.
The children were both transported from the scene of the accident to Helen DeVos Hospital for evaluation of their injuries. They are expected to survive their injuries.
The driver of the van was not hurt.
Because of this first accident, traffic was backed up in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 96.
Troopers were then called to an accident at the 66-mile marker of Interstate 96 eastbound just after 7:00 p.m.
A vehicle driven by a 34-year-old Detroit man failed to slow down for the slower and stopped traffic. He struck several of the vehicles from behind before coming to a stop. Police believe that speed and not paying attention were factors in that collision.
A rear-seat passenger was killed as a result of the accident. 29-year-old Kevin Nicholas Coulter of Grand Rapids was pronounced dead at the scene.
Coulter was the passenger in one of the vehicles that was rear-ended by the Detroit man.
Both accidents are currently under investigation by the Michigan State Police.
They do not believe that drugs, alcohol, or other impairment were a factor in either accident. There have been no charges or citations filed at this time. No other names are being released.