A car crash on I-94 near Battle Creek claimed the lives of three people. Lifelong Allen Park residents 55-year-old William Gatesy, his wife, Dawn, and their 28-year-old son, William, were all pronounced dead at the scene.
The Gatesys along with two others were driving home from a casino in Battle Creek. A preliminary investigation suggests Gatesy suffered an apparent heart attack behind-the-wheel and lost control of the vehicle, which then left the road and went down an embankment before hitting a tree.
"Most of us found out about it this morning," said Robert Bryan. "It's totally disbelief that pretty much a whole family is wiped out in just a heartbeat."
"Known Bill for almost a lifetime," said Mr. Vasquez, operations manager of the Allen Park Recreation Center. "Bill's just a bit older than me, but as a kid playing hockey Bill refereed games that I played in. So I got to know him as a referee and later on as one hell of a person."
Hockey was Bill Gatesy's passion. He was a referee in college, high school and youth hockey in Allen Park. He impacted so many and his loss is felt by everyone.
"You just don't replace a person like that. You move on, you go on, but you just don't replace him. He was one of those irreplaceable kind," Vasquez said. "He was a pretty funny guy. He was a great guy."
"He got along with all the coaches, definitely got along with the kids, and his son was fantastic, his wife was great, and we're going to miss them all," Bryan said.
The two other passengers in the vehicle were taken to the hospital, but their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 8:11 PM EDT2013-05-15 00:11:24 GMT
16-year-old Destiny Henderson, a student at Inkster High School, died Monday in a horrific traffic accident. Her car stopped at a light was hit from behind by a bus.
16-year-old Destiny Henderson, a student at Inkster High School, died Monday in a horrific traffic accident. Her car stopped at a light was hit from behind by a bus.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:10 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:10:41 GMT
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:42:57 GMT
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:10 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:10:15 GMT
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:08:52 GMT
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
