The Barry County Sheriff’s Office reports that a man died Thursday afternoon when his pickup truck was involved in an accident around 3:40pm.  Officers say 76 year old Roland Ferris was driving an F150 pickup northbound on M-43 highway, south of Quimby Road in Rutland township when his truck struck the rear of an MDOT truck and trailer. 

The vehicle continued north on M-43 as the MDOT vehicle turned into a parking area. Ferris’s truck then failed to negotiate a curve north of Tillotson Lake Road, leaving the roadway until it struck several trees.

Witnesses and passing motorists removed the driver from the truck and initiated CPR until emergency responders arrived. Ferris was pronounced deceased at Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital.

The accident is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office. Officers were assisted on scene by Hastings/Birch medical first responders, Mercy ambulance, Freeport fire, and Barry Central dispatch.