Ann Arbor schools employee 1 of 2 killed in Northern Michigan car accident
An employee of the Ann Arbor Public Schools district was involved in a fatal car accident Monday morning in northern Michigan’s Wexford County.
Yolanda Bell, 59, of Pittsfield Township died at the scene of the crash, according to police.
From WWTV-TV, Cadillac
At 9:54 a.m. Monday, deputies were dispatched to the accident on M-115 near the Wexford County Road Commission building.
Bell was traveling northwest-bound on M-115 when she crossed the centerline and struck an SUV headed southeast-bound, according to a release from the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office.
The SUV then overturned and hit a semi-tractor trailer, which was headed in the same direction in an outside lane.
Bell and the driver of the SUV, 29-year-old Adam Antczak of Monroe, were both pronounced dead on the scene. A 29-year-old female passenger in Antczak’s vehicle was airlifted to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City with serious injuries. She remains in the Intensive Care Unit.
Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor in the accident and seat belts were in use by all three people, police said.
The accident remains under investigation.
Bell was an employee of the Ann Arbor Public Schools' Student Intervention and Support Services Department, where she was a transition coordinator.
District spokeswoman Liz Margolis said central administrators are reaching out to Bell’s husband before allowing school employees to speak about Bell.
“She was a very private person, so we are trying to respect that,” Margolis said, adding those who were close with Bell are clearly very upset today by the news of her death and a crisis team has been made available for AAPS staff.
K-12 Education Reporter Danielle Arndt contributed to this story.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Danielle Arndt
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
We are gathering information about Yolanda and trying to speak with people who knew her. If you knew Yolanda or your child interacted with her through Ann Arbor Public Schools and would like to speak with a reporter about her or to share your condolences, please contact me at (734) 623-2515. Thank you!
jns131
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 3:49 p.m.
I am agreeing with this reporter. Why? Because there are people out there that want to talk about this tragedy. Want to speak out about how great this person was. I disagree with a lot of the negative comments here. Most news reporters are not out for blood, but to have anyone who wants to talk about it, do. Stay strong Danielle.
Danielle Arndt
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
Thank you for your thoughts. I can assure you that tragic accidents of this nature are never easy and are never just a story for reporters. We are not without empathy. Our hearts go out to the families in these situations just like anyone else's. Because we have spoken to a number of people who knew Yolanda, we understand how greatly she impacted lives with her warmth and kindness. That is why it did not feel right to leave her story at just the story of her death. My comment was simply to allow others the opportunity to share their memories as well, as people cope differently and sometimes talking to a third party can start the healing process. It was not meant to be in poor taste, but rather in the spirit of honoring someone who passed unexpectedly.
bmv
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 3:10 a.m.
Danielle, My hope is that this is not just a story to you. Do some investigation yourself. You will find those who were impacted greatly by her warmth, kindness and generosity for others. She believed in the work she did and worked tirelessly that youth with special needs could have a better quality of life. I knew her on both a professional and personal level. She was very private but as her friend I can tell you that her family was of utmost importance to her. We spoke shortly before I lost her...had I known she would leave me this soon...for those who are mourning for Yolanda and Adam and praying for a speedy recovery for Sara-pray that you find what role you play in helping their families move forward...be there and be strong...
TNB
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 2:39 a.m.
"She was a very private person, so we are trying to respect that," Margolis said Danielle, what part of that do you not understand? People who knew her will express their condolences to her family and friends. Your request for information on her is in very poor taste.
jns131
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 10:35 a.m.
I heard this on the news at 5 on Tuesday. They said the neighbors heard this crash around 1:30 am and it was until the sun came up that they found the crash. Wow. They mentioned other factors too. What a shame. What I don't get is how the car came from another state but yet the two are from Michigan? Good luck. I just hope this doesn't change again teenage driving.
jns131
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
I am realizing this now. Wow. People lets slow down.
Jeanette
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.
You are talking about a totally different accident that occurred in Holly Township. That's not this accident. That said, condolences to all of the family members. I grew up in northern Michigan in this area and M-115 has always been the site of many accidents.
spm
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.
I'm very sorry for their loss. I know this area well and in the summer M115 can be bumper to bumper with vacationers and people get reckless trying to pass slower vehicles. It's one of the worse roads for accidents in that area.
Dave Linsenman
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 8:33 p.m.
It's a tragedy to all involed in the accident I know Adam and his wife they were only married for 6 months and just bought a house together. All i have to say is people need to slow down and pay attention to what they are doing to many people are in a hurry and put people in danger. Not saying this is what caused this accident don't really know what happened, But my Aunt and Uncle Died in a motorcycle accident because of someone elses stupidity.
Blue Marker
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 8:48 p.m.
Great point! It's so sad to read these stories knowing families are hurt so deeply by the loss. I get a little too heavy on the gas some times and I'll remind myself of this story tonight before I head home. I'm so sorry to these families.
Sharon Farr
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 7:07 p.m.
She was a very nice lady to work with and will be missed.
thinker
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 7:05 p.m.
We know in the first hours of this crash more than we ever learned in the crash that occurred at Dexter and N. Maple which killed one man. I still fault Ann Arbor.com for not naming the person who was under a "medical condition" when the accident occurred. My heart goes out to all involved in this accident.
Tesla
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 3:35 p.m.
The individuals identity isn't. I don't know if the "medical condition" would be noted or not but I don't see why it wouldn't. My recollection of the incident is that the "medical condition" was claimed in the initial story on A2.com and that the driver who caused the fatality was standing and talking to officers after the incident.
Barb
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 3:20 p.m.
Really? I thought a person's medical information is private.
Tesla
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
All you have to do is go to the police department and request a copy of the police report. It has to be public information.
thinker
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 11:28 p.m.
@Lonnie- I believe we have the right to know. I can only believe that it is someone who is a. an employee at AnnArbor.com b. an important person who is being protected c. Someone for whom this medical event was the first episode and is a real tragedy (such as, a seizure heralding a brain tumor, or other catastrophic event.) Guess we'll never know. I would like to know if charges were ever brought though.
Lonnie
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 7:41 p.m.
Every time I walk across this intersection, I feel terribly sad. That crash was a tragedy. I would also like to know a report on the aftermath of the investigation and the medical condition information.
John Counts
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 7 p.m.
The video from 9 and 10 News that accompanied this story has since been removed. It was also removed from the 9 and 10 News site, possibly because they confused who was driving which vehicle in the accident.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 5:45 p.m.
My prayers go out to family and friends. "District spokeswoman Liz Margolis said central administrators are.... before allowing school employees to speak...." I don't why but I find it odd that central administration has that sort of power/authority.
towncryer
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
It's hard to know if Margolis meant "speak about Bell" with the press or amongst each other. It sounds like you are maybe interpreting it as the latter? If they know she was a private person then I think it's just respectful to ask employees not to speak about it to the press (or maybe, also social media? Sometimes people start pages when it might not be something the deceased would have wanted). Very sad for all involved.
Bruce Madej
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.
Craig- the Ann Arbor Public School response is not a matter of free speech, it is a matter of consideration for the family. These situations should be handled with concern for the family first and foremost. I would like to add my condolences and prayers to families and friends of those who passed away.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 6:40 p.m.
I guess i never worked in that sort of environment. I worked in places where you were allowed free speech. In any case I do feel badly for the loved ones and their loss.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 6:32 p.m.
"this allows the organization a chance to avoid having well-meaning friends "....say anything about their friends. Again it is odd. On what grounds can any organization, in essence say "sorry you lost your dear friend, now keep your mouth shut unless we say otherwise" Because at the heart of it that's whats happening.
Steve in MI
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.
"District spokeswoman Liz Margolis said central administrators are.... before allowing school employees to speak...." Standard operating procedure for companies and organizations in cases involving personnel. Employees are almost always instructed to contact their organization's officials spokesperson before speaking publicly. Among other things, this allows the organization a chance to avoid having well-meaning friends violate the privacy wishes of the impacted individual and their family. Not necessarily anything nefarious; most organizations' central administration have this sort of power/authority.
John Counts
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 5:26 p.m.
The information in the story comes straight from two official press releases from the Wexford County Sheriff's Office. We are aware that it seems to contradict the 9 and 10 television news report as to who was driving which car. We are looking into the matter.
Meredith Schindler
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 5:20 p.m.
This is awful news. She was a really good person, and did a lot to help kids in the area.
babmay11
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 5:10 p.m.
I think you have the vehicles and drivers mixed up, if you listen to the video, Ms. Bell was in the SUV and the other driver in the BMW crossed the center line and hit her (not the other way around).
babmay11
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 6:21 p.m.
Thanks for clarifying
John Counts
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.
I just got off the phone with the dispatcher manager in Wexford County who said the press releases are correct. Bell was driving the BMW and Antczak was driving the SUV. 9 and 10 News misreported who was driving which vehicle.
babmay11
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 5:14 p.m.
It's a terrible tragedy either way, Ms. Bell worked with many families with special needs students at AAPS and will be greatly missed.