Oakland County Lawyer Among Bicyclists Killed In West MI Crash: Report

IONIA COUNTY, MI — An Oakland County lawyer was one of two bicyclists that died Saturday after a drunken driver crashed into the group, reports said, citing the Ionia County Sheriff's Office.

Bloomfield Hills attorney Michael Salhaney, 57, was one of the bicyclists killed in the tragic crash. He was a former assistant prosecutor for the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, according to his Facebook page.

On the morning of the crash, Salhaney posted a video to Facebook explaining why he chose to ride in the 35th annual three-day "Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour" that covers most of the state.

Salhaney said the group had rode about 54 miles Saturday morning and was looking forward to finishing the 112 mile stretch, even though the ride was wearing him down. But then he pointed to his wristband, which had the name of the child, his "wish hero," who he was riding in honor of.

"It gives me a little extra motivation to keep going…take care of yourselves today and just keep these wish kids in mind," he said.

Mandy Marie Benn was charged with two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death/operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance (15-year felony), one count of operating while intoxicated/operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance (a 93-day misdemeanor) and a second offense notice operating while intoxicated (a one year misdemeanor) after police said she crashed into the bicyclists.

Benn was placed in the Ionia County Jail on a $1 million bond, officials said.

Officials said they don't think Benn saw the group of bicyclists when she crossed the centerline with her SUV into northbound traffic on the 3000 block of Stage Road in Ronald Township at 11:15 a.m., striking the group.

Edward Erickson, 48, from Ann Arbor, was also killed in the crash, officials said. Three other bicyclists were injured and taken to nearby hospitals where they had severe injuries, officials said.

The cyclists were participating in the Make-A-Wish Bicycle Tour/Wish-A- Mile 300, which is a three-day ride throughout Michigan to help raise money for children with critical illness.