Michigan: 2 dead, several hurt as vehicle crashes into birthday party 1 dead, 1 wounded in rural NW Ohio shooting
BERLIN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) – A young brother and sister died and several people were injured, some of them seriously, when a vehicle driven by a suspected drunken driver crashed into a young child’s birthday party Saturday at a boat club, a Michigan sheriff said.
An 8-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother died at the scene in the crash, when a 66-year-old woman drove 25 feet into the building about 3 p.m. at the Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said.
The location is about 30 miles north of the Ohio line.
“The scene was described by the first responders as extremely chaotic, with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident,” Sheriff Goodnough said.
Three children and six adults were taken to area hospitals by two helicopters or ambulances with life-threatening injuries, he said. Others injured were given first aid at the scene and some were taken to hospitals by private vehicles.
Goodnough did not identify the woman driving the vehicle but said she was taken into custody and held at the Monroe County Jail suspected of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death. She was cooperating with authorities and likely would face more charges as the investigation continues, he said.
Authorities were notified the woman may have been at a nearby tavern before the incident, Goodnough said, adding they closed the establishment and planned to execute a search warrant there as part of the investigation.
PUTNAM COUNTY – A shooting occurred at a trucking company in Leipsic, resulting in the death of one individual and injury to another, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The shooting occurred about 4:05 p.m. Thursday at 6302 Pro Tec Parkway, the location of Kitchen Enterprises Trucking Company. Authorities responded to multiple 911 calls regarding gunshots at the scene, authorities said via news release.
Upon arrival, law enforcement and medical personnel found two victims.
Farrah Croninger, 30, of Deshler, was declared deceased. A 54-yearold male, Michael Kitchen of Ottawa, sustained injuries and was transported to Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center.
The severity of Kitchen’s injuries was not disclosed.
The suspect, identified as Konner Dunklee, 26, of Lima, fled
Metro
the site but was later apprehended in Allen County authorities said. Dunklee is currently in custody at the Putnam County Adult Detention Center.
Dunklee is charged with attempted murder, murder, and aggravated murder, court records show. An arraignment was held Friday when $1 million bond was set in Putnam County Municipal Court.
The Kitchen Family Trucking issued a statement that it posted on Facebook.
“Our hearts are heavy as we come together to mourn the loss of our dear colleague, Farrah, and to support Michael in his recovery,” the statement read. “Farrah’s light touched us all, and her absence leaves a void in our hearts and our team. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew her.”
On Saturday, a Gofundme page was set up to support her family that includes a husband and three children.
The investigation is ongoing, with multiple agencies involved, including the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Leipsic Police Department, the Ohio Bureau of Investigation, FBI, and several other local law enforcement and emergency services.
The scene is about 80 miles west of Shelby.
Sheriff Brian S. Siefker has not provided further details involving the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The public is encouraged to come forward with any information that may assist in the investigation.