Thank you for the update. I know this has been a hot button article. You've done a good job communicating to the public that all aspects of this accident are being looked at.

Thanks, EBC! We'll keep updating the story when new info comes in.

Northville can afford to spend millions to buy contaminated land from developers but can't afford paths across from this land?? Maybe want to run a toxicology report on our so-called leaders while we are at it. We desperately need to make our streets safer for bicyclists, walkers and runners before more tragedies like this occur!

There sure was a budget for a very expensive path along Sheldon Road just north of Seven Mile road. Is that where all our tax dollars went instead of safe paths along Seven Mile Road? Or how about along Northville Road between Six Mile and Seven Mile?

@ Karen: I agree with you. I thought that the original plan WAS to run bike path along Northville Rd. between 6 and 7. I was just by the engineering feat along Sheldon Rd. Where is it going to go? There isn't room heading east on 6 Mile to add a path because of the bridge, so I guess the plan is to tie this into the paths on the west side of Sheldon and 6 Mile?

We definitely need bike paths along that stretch of road... to that end, can we finally start holding the township board of trustees accountable! Anyone up for reelection next year with the word "incumbent" behind their name will NOT get my vote! Regarding this poor cyclist, while the bike path would add public safety and have given this gentleman a safer option, let's not forget that cyclists have a RIGHT to use the entire lane in the street too!

Federal money is available through the Transportation Enhancements program, and it can be used for almost any project that would provide "complete streets" for non-motorized transportation. Projects could include multi-use sidepaths, PED XING signals and amenities, perhaps some road widening and re-striping.
Applying for this funding would be a function of the regional planning agency (SEMCOG), Wayne County, and the township.
I grew up in Beverly Hills, where property owners believe that sidewalks would impinge on their rights. That's really short-sighted.

@ Karen. Totally right. It's scary to see all the people that walk and bike along 7 mile and all the close calls with vehicles. I can't believe 2 people have been killed while I see them building pretty stone structures, bridges and paths on Sheldon toward d/t Northville.

I found this to be an interesting statement in this article... "The driver, who was checked for intoxication at the scene, was not driving drunk, Werth said." This obviously does not mean there was no alcohol in his blood. So he may have been driving intoxicated but under the legal limit. Clarification of this would be appreciated.

To all the new followers of this story, hello. My name is Megan & the man who died was my husband's brother & best friend. I feel the need to again comment & correct some of the things being reported. First & foremost, just because my brother-in-law was carrying beer to his home does NOT mean he was drinking. In fact the police have sworn statements from employees at Good Time Party who saw him right before he was killed. Secondly, I'm unaware of this reporter's sources in the police dept but the sgt in charge of this case told my husband & I directly to our faces that the driver was NOT tested for drugs or alcohol. Apparently it's officer discretion & if they don't feel its necessary they don't check. I believe this law MUST be changed to say that in any serious injury or fatality accident it should be mandated not only to check for alcohol, but take blood and check for drugs. I intend to try & bring this to light & hopefully get someone in the legislature to listen. The last thing I want to say is that the shoulder on 7 Mile is 4'3" wide & police consider that to be an area for people to ride their bikes or walk. I propose to the twp that they paint the proper bike path lane symbols in the street & post signs along the road indicating as much to the drivers. It's the least they can do, especially since 2 people have died in the same area. How many deaths is it going to take before they finally do something about this?!?!

First, we need to keep in mind that the cyclist may have been outside the shoulder, for various reasons. The police stated earlier that alcohol was a factor, and we don't know if the cyclist drank or not before riding. (He may have drank before getting the beer, or afterwards, before riding home -- the party store owners probably didn't test him either.) Regarding the driver, it states that he was "checked for intoxication", which may have been a field sobriety test. They may (or may not) have done a formal breathalyzer or blood test, but there was apparently no reason to conclude he was drinking, at least not to the point of intoxication. (I agree mandatory testing makes sense.)

I'm all for wider, marked shoulders, etc., but people are making all sorts of negative assumptions about the driver here, which is no better than making negative assumptions about the cyclist. It was a rainy day, getting dark, and it's hard to see then. Not a time to be biking if possibly avoided, especially on a road like 7 Mile. (I find it scary that people feel this is an appropriate road to bike/walk along on a regular basis -- there are better places for recreational cycling/walking, including Hines Drive.)

This has been a tragic and I mean a tragic incident for everyone involved. Please pray for everyone involved in this incident. I am the sister of Jerry and we are all so very sadden, let's not jump to any conclusions until we have all the evidence and reports. Please pray for everyone. God bless Jerry may he rest in peace.

I want to update everyone on this situation. We finally got the autopsy/toxicology reports back from WCME. For everyone who tried to blame our brother or said that he was drunk just because he had purchased beer.....you're all wrong. The tox screen was completely negative. Not a drop of alcohol, no drugs, nothing. It just goes to show you, never make assumptions about people! We are now waiting for the Wayne Cty Prosecutors Office to make a final ruling regarding formal charges. As we've stated before, please continue to pray, not just for Jerry, but for the young boys involved.