Michigan State Police Wayland Post troopers are investigating a single car crash reported on Sunday, September 12 around 7:00 a.m. Dispatch personnel received a call from a passerby who indicated there was a vehicle rolled over on the right shoulder of southbound US 131 near 118th Ave in Martin Township.
When troopers arrived on scene, they discovered a deceased male occupant in the driver’s seat of a 2012 Buick passenger car with his seatbelt on. No other occupants were in or near the vehicle. Preliminary investigations reveal the vehicle was traveling south on US 131, veered off the right shoulder at a high rate of speed, before losing control and rolling over multiple times. Evidence at the scene indicate the crash likely occurred several hours prior to being discovered.
The deceased driver was identified as David Butela, a 44-year-old Grand Rapids man. Alcohol is believed to a factor in the crash.
This crash investigation remains open pending lab analysis and prosecutor’s review.
