HAYES TWP. - Investigators from the Gaylord Michigan State Police (MSP) post say snow-covered and slippery roads, combined with whiteout conditions Monday, were contributing factors in a rear-end collision on Alba Road, which left one man dead and three others seriously injured.

Four Custer Township residents from Antrim County reportedly were on their way to a meeting in Gaylord when their minivan crashed into the rear end of a sanitation truck stopped on Alba Road about one-and-a-half miles west of M-32.

The accident remains under investigation. The crash occurred around 12:15 p.m.

A back seat minivan passenger, Basil Scharaswak, 72, of Mancelona, was pronounced dead after he was transported to Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) by the Otsego County EMS/Rescue and a police escort.

Heavy rescue personnel used the Jaws of Life to remove Scharaswak and the other occupants from the wrecked 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette.

According to Gaylord MSP investigators, the minivan driver, Robert Ricksgers, 62, of Alden, was transported to OMH and later treated and released. Passenger Ordin Hierlihy, 76, of Bellaire, also was treated and released. Ricksgers is the Custer Township supervisor and assessor.

A third passenger, Larry McCulloch, 72, of Alden, was transported from OMH to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak where his condition was listed Tuesday as fair.

Trooper Michael Nasser at the Gaylord MSP post said the men were on their way to a Michigan Township Assessors workshop at Treetops, east of Gaylord, when their vehicle collided with the rear end of a Waste Management truck driven by Oscar McPeck, 35, of Grayling. McPeck reportedly was not injured.

Minor damage was reported to the vehicle, with a gross weight of 54,000 pounds. Extensive damage was reported to the front end of the minivan.

According to a news release from the Gaylord MSP post, McPeck had stopped to pick up refuse in front of an Alba Road residence when Ricksgers' eastbound vehicle crashed into the back of the truck.

Alba Road between Estelle Road and M-32 was closed to traffic for two hours while the accident was being investigated and first responders removed the injured men from the wrecked minivan.

All four men reportedly were wearing safety belts at the time of the crash, as was McPeck.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Dept. and Elmira Township Fire Dept. assisted at the accident scene.

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