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Ken Frantz Critically Injured by Alleged Drunk Driver in Motorcycle Accident in Howard City, MI


Photo Credit: Montcalm County Sheriff's Dept.
Photo Credit: Montcalm County Sheriff’s Dept.

Howard City, MI — On Tuesday morning of this week, a driver was charged with drunk driving and a local man on his motorcycle was left in critical condition. Police said that Ken Frantz, 58, was critically injured after his motorcycle was hit and dragged by suspected drunk driver Jeremy Gard, 43.

This accident happened around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday morning, April 7, 2015. According to the police, Frantz was riding his motorcycle along Church Road when he was hit by Jeremy Gard’s pickup truck.

Frantz was thrown from the bike, but Gard continued to drive for about a mile, dragging the bike underneath him. The truck and bike eventually caught fire and police apprehended Gard a short time later.

He was arrested for being under the influence of alcohol (allegedly) while Ken Frantz had to be hospitalized with critical injuries. At the last update, he is still in serious condition and is partially paralyzed as a result of the wreck.

Map of the Accident

Commentary:

If this driver was really under the influence of alcohol when this happened, then given the time, shouldn’t someone at least look into whether he had been drinking at a bar that night? The reason I’m mentioning this is that if a bar was involved in getting this driver drunk, then the driver won’t be the only one who may face punishment. Most states have some form of “dram shop laws,” which are laws that govern the sale and service of alcohol. Each state is different, but the general idea is to create some sort of standard so that the state can hold bars accountable for getting people drunk.

In Texas and many other states, the standard is “obvious intoxication.” That means that bars aren’t allowed to serve alcohol to anyone they know (or should know) is obviously intoxicated.

If a bar was involved here, then their negligence might be another factor in what caused this wreck. Obviously, the news doesn’t mention anything about a bar, but I’ve handled enough of these cases that I tend not to take any chances when it comes to drawing conclusions without evidence.

 
— Grossman Law Offices

Recent Comments to the Blog

Jason is back to work and is now playing Sled Hockey and wheelchair rugby!! Jason is the strongest and most amazing man! He may nly have 1/2 a leg, but that is ALL he is lacking!! Thanks to prayer and GOD and awsome first responders and Baylor doctors. Jason's wife, Sheila
— Sheila
I'm a former employee. I had brought up this exact scenario and suggested a maintenance procedure that would eliminate the possibility of this type injury. Obviously my warning went unheeded.
— Tophat
I was actually a couple cars back from this wreck, one of the first on the scene, and helped administer CPR on the victims. The truck driver was going way too fast, but it was actually his trailer that swung around and hit the suv, the semi-truck ended in the median.
— Leif Burton
I am Anthony Siffords daughter. im 13 and i miss my dad i just wanted everyone to know that he is in a better place now and i would to thank everyone for the support. i miss my dad but it was amazing to see how many people had been toughed by my dad god bless thanks for everything...
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I am Rodney Palmer's sister-inlaw. I am amazed and grateful for all the heartfelt wishes and support for our family... It is difficult indeed to put our thoughts into words, but we very much appreciate your kind and helpful words at a time when these things mean so much. Losing someone as special as Rodney has been tough, but knowing the he has touched so many people's lives keeps my sister's strengthens our family.
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Tony was the step Grant father and it's been hard for the whole family but we know he is in a better place now. It's nice to know that people are rasing awareness with my grandfathers story. Thanks, family and friends of Tony Wray.
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Thank you for posting these accident articles on your site. At the company that I work for, e deal with monitoring construction activity and work around trenches and all sorts of construction equipment/vehicles. I sometimes wonder if construction companies have enough safety training to inform employees of how to protect themselves while on the job.
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I'd like to thank you for giving my cousin's death some type of recognition and letting our family know he is not a lost cause. Thank you <3
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