Hudsonville man hurt in crash with bulldozer trailer

A Hudsonville man was injured in a two-vehicle accident Wednesday morning on Adams Street, west of 60th Avenue, according to Sgt. Steve Austin of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department. Kevin Lakowski, 33, was in critical condition with severe lower extremity injuries following the 7 a.m. accident, Austin said. He was airlifted by West Michigan Aircare to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. Lakowski was in serious condition today, a hospital spokesperson said.

Tribune Staff

Jul 21, 2011

Lakowski was traveling east on Adams Street in his 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier when he crossed the line and hit a trailer being towed by Jerry Vanderkolk of Zeeland.

Police said Vanderkolk, 60, was not injured.

Vanderkolk was driving a 1994 Kenworth dump truck and pulling a trailer loaded with a bulldozer. Austin said when Vanderkolk saw Lakowski cross the center line, he swerved, but Lakowski’s car hit the front of the trailer.

Lakowski was pinned inside his car and had to be freed by Zeeland Township Fire Rescue.

Austin said Lakowski had just gotten off work and was heading home, and that he didn’t remember what happened.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts and alcohol was not a factor, Austin said.