On Sunday, Aug. 10, deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office investigated two additional crashes on southbound U.S. 131, both of which were caused by a traffic backup from two earlier incidents.

The first crash occurred at approximately 3:44 p.m. on U.S. 131 near 19 Mile Road in Green Township. A 42-year-old woman from Grand Rapids rear-ended a vehicle after traffic slowed due to a crash farther south on the highway. The vehicle she struck then hit the vehicle in front of it. The driver of the third vehicle was taken to Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital for minor injuries.

The second crash occurred at approximately 7:19 p.m. on U.S. 131 at 4 Mile Road in Aetna Township. An 86-year-old man from Lawton experienced a possible medical issue while driving, causing his vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a tree. The driver and his 83-year-old passenger were hospitalized.

These crashes were two of four major accidents on U.S. 131 in the greater Big Rapids area on Sunday.