On Thursday, June 20, at approximately 5:16 p.m., deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the intersection of 80th Avenue and 23 Mile Road for a single-vehicle crash.

The investigation found that a 61-year-old woman from Barryton was traveling southbound on 80th Avenue when she lost control of the vehicle, causing it to leave the roadway and strike a tree. The passenger, a 78-year-old man from Barryton, was in critical condition and taken to a hospital in Traverse City via AeroMed. The driver was transported to a hospital in Midland, also in critical condition.

Speed is believed to be the main factor in the crash. Neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Deputies were assisted by Fork Township Rescue, Barryton Fire, Chippewa Martiny Township Fire & Rescue, Mecosta County EMS, Osceola County EMS, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Hilltop Towing, and Meceola Central Dispatch.