© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Memorial Unveiled for Michigan Bike Crash Victims, Survivors

kalamazoocity

A southwestern Michigan community has unveiled a memorial to the victims and survivors of one the country's deadliest vehicle-bike crashes.

The memorial was revealed on Thursday evening near Kalamazoo, in the area where a reckless driver in 2016 crashed his pickup truck into a pack of bicyclists, killing five. The cyclists were part of a club called the Kalamazoo Chain Gang, which planned the memorial and held a bike ride after the unveiling.

WWMT-TV reports two sons rode to honor their fathers killed in the crash.

Three women also were killed. The motorist, Charles Pickett, was convicted last month of second-degree murder and is scheduled to be sentenced Monday. There was no dispute he swallowed painkillers and other drugs before driving, although his lawyers argued murder charges were excessive.

Every WKAR News story you read is rooted in fact-based, local journalism, produced without commercial influence and available for free to everyone in mid-Michigan. No paywalls. Ever.

But this work doesn’t fund itself. With significant cuts to federal funding, public media is facing a critical moment. If you believe in journalism that serves the public interest, now is the time to act. Donate today.