Accident that results in infant death, injuries to Farwell couple under investigation
By Becky Miller on Sep 24, 2009 in Clare County-wide, Farwell News, Featured
MOUNT PLEASANT – An accident that resulted in the death of an infant child shortly after birth and injuries to two Farwell residents and four other people remains under investigation, according to police.
The Isabella County Sheriff’s Department responded to the two-vehicle accident on North Meridian Road and East Baseline Road at 5:01 p.m. Wednesday.
A 1994 Santa Fe mini-van, which was driven by 65-year-old Edward Garnett of Farwell, was headed westbound on East Baseline Road, said Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski. He said the mini-van ran the stop sign at Meridian Road and hit a 2001 Dodge Intrepid that was traveling northbound on Meridian Road.
The 2001 Dodge Intrepid was driven by 65-year-old Linda Kay Kirby of Weidman, Mioduszewski said. There were three passengers in the Dodge: 45-year-old Laura Lynn McGuire of Mount Pleasant; 26-year-old Krystal Lee Guthrie of Weidman; and 28-year-old Marc Robert Kirby of Weidman. One of the women in Kirby’s vehicle was in her third trimester of pregnancy, he said.
The mother and unborn child were transported to Central Michigan Community Hospital where an emergency caesarian was performed due to the baby being in distress, Mioduszewski said. “Unfortunately, the infant died a short while later.”
Kirby and the other two passengers also were transported to CMCH for non-life threatening injuries sustained in the accident. Garnett and his passenger, 64-year-old Karen Lee Garnett of Farwell, also were transported to CMCH for their injuries.
Mioduszewski said it does not appear that alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident and all six people were wearing seatbelts.
He said the accident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time. The Isabella County Prosecutor will review the accident reports and determine what, if any, charges will be sought in connection with the accident, Mioduszewski said.
The Isabella County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by Nottawa-Sherman First Responders, the Sherman Township Marshal and Mobile Medical Response units.
