Ada teen dies in Golden Township ORV rollover
Luke William Kooistra, 17, of Ada died early Sunday in an off road vehicle rollover crash side-by-side rollover in Oceana County.
The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at around 12:39 a.m. Aug. 23 from the 300 block of North 28th Avenue.
Deputies learned that a Honda Pioneer 1000 off-road vehicle carrying six people had rolled over on private property.
Deputies, firefighters and emergency medical crews attempted lifesaving measures, but Kooistra was pronounced dead at the scene. The other occupants did not require immediate medical attention.
The sheriff’s office said deputies arrested the 18-year-old driver, also from Ada, on suspicion of operating an ORV while intoxicated causing death. He was taken to the Oceana County Jail.
The crash remains under investigation. The Hart Area Fire Department and Life EMS assisted at the scene.
Michigan law on operating an ORV while intoxicated
Under MCL 324.81134, operating an ORV while intoxicated or visibly impaired is a felony. When a death is caused by operating while intoxicated it can carry a conviction of up to 15 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
A criminal prosecution seeks punishment, while a civil wrongful death action seeks compensation through a civil claim. MCL 600.2922 allows the personal representative of an estate to bring an action when a death resulted from another person’s wrongful act.
An arrest or criminal charge does not automatically establish civil fault. A pending criminal proceeding also does not automatically pause civil filing periods. Michigan Legal Center’s guide to Michigan wrongful death deadlines explains how the underlying claim, estate appointment and claim-specific rules can affect the time available.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center: the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates reviews wrongful death and serious injury matters to determine whether an ORV crash falls within its practice areas.
Families seeking legal information after a fatal ORV crash can contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether the matter is within its practice areas.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.