By Staff
NILES – A Niles man is dead after the van he was driving crashed into the back of a semi-tractor trailer that had slowed to make a turn on M-60 on Monday afternoon.
Dennis Dale Batchelor Jr., 51, of East Detroit Road, Niles, was driving a 1995 Chevrolet van and was killed in the crash, which occurred about three-quarters of a mile west of Barron Lake Road in Howard Township.
Michigan State Police troopers said, while the investigation continues, they believe alcohol was a factor in the accident on the part of Batchelor.
James A. Rajski, 47, of Marrett Drive, Mishawaka, Ind., was driving the Kenworth tractor trailer, registered to Kenneth Smith Inc., and was making a turn into the parking lot of Kenneth Smith Trucking. He suffered back and neck injuries and was transported to Lakeland Hospital Niles.
Howard Township Fire Department and Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service assisted at the scene.