URGENT – U.P. Breaking News Update 1-5-18 – 10:50 a.m. ET
Ishpeming man was killed days before his birthday – in apparent intentional act on M-95
Plus weather-related wrecks continue today (Fri., Jan.5, 2018) across the U.P.
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
(Humboldt Township, MI) – An Ishpeming, MI man was killed Thursday night just four days before his 34th birthday – when he was struck by a vehicle on M-95 north of Republic, MI.
The victim is 33-year-old Cory James Derocha of Ishpeming, MI.
Police are investigating the possibility that Derocha exited vehicle and laid in the roadway.
Derocha was riding with his girlfriend – and there was an argument. The vehicle stopped along M-95 after Derocha allegedly tried to grab the steeling wheel of his girlfriend’s vehicle. Derocha exited the vehicle. It is known that Derocha did walk or run onto M-95. Derocha allegedly had history of suicidal statements and depression.
Janey Christiansen
A female driving a Toyota car could not avoid Derocha. She has reportedly been terribly affected by the wreck.
That driver is 19-year-old Janey Christiansen of Iron Mountain, MI.
Christiansen was a Iron Mountain High School track stand-out and received a prestigious scholarship from the Beta Sigma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Derocha attended North Star Charter School, according to his Facebook page.
A young male child is the only photo on his Facebook page other than graphics from elsewhere.
In June 2014, a federal judge in Marquette denied a motion Derocha made – saying the rules in Marquette County do not allow a person to get out of the hole – in a case involving his son. Oppressive rules perpetrated by Marquette County officials seeking money from anyone who goes near the court – make it hard for an honest father to get ahead, Derocha charged, adding the courts just want to lock a person up and collect fines and fees.
Derocha filed a document titled “To Whom it May Concern,” which “the Clerk has construed as a complaint against the Marquette County Circuit Court and the Marquette County Friend of the Court.
Derocha states that he’s unable to pay child support – asserting that he is “unfairly being thrown in jail by the Marquette County Court.”
The wreck happened on M-95 about 3 miles from U.S.-41 in Humboldt Township.
Derocha was pinned under the car – and Marquette County Rescue Squad 131 used tools to take that Toyota off the man, who was killed instantly. Low visibility and the icy, snow-covered roads are both factors in the crash. The investigation continues.
Those roads caused over 100 crashes across the U.P. on Thursday and its continues today (Friday, Jan. 5, 2018).
A car collided with lumber truck Friday morning on U.S.-41 in front of Cattron’s Lumber in Negaunee, MI. Several injuries reported and the crash is under investigation.
URGENT URGENT – U.P. Breaking News Bulletin and Traffic Advisory – 1-4-18 – 10 p.m. ET – Fatal crash on M-95 near Republic, MI
Upper Peninsula Roads remain deadly
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
(Upper Peninsula of Michigan) – Hundreds of crashes occurred across the Upper Peninsula on Thursday thanks to slippery roads and snow – starting with a grader crash in Gogebic County and ending with a fatal pedestrian accident on M-95 in Marquette County.
Numerous emergency vehicles are on the scene of a fatal accident on M-95 near CR 601/CR FNO in Humboldt Township close to the railroad tracks. The accident is just north of Republic, MI. It happened just before 10 p.m. ET Thurs., Jan. 4, 2018.
The crash took down a road sign located near the railroad tracks.
The victim was reportedly driving, stopped his vehicle and started walking along M-85 when he was struck. Officials have been asked to investigate whether narcotics or other drugs were involved.
Michigan State Police accident investigators were doing interviews, surveying the snow-covered scene and taking measurements into early Friday morning.
Among others on the scene are the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department, Marquette County rescue Unit 131, and the Republic Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Expect M-95 to be tied up and intermittently closed for several hours.
Roads and highways continue to be deadly across the U.P. – despite local media ignoring serious wrecks and reporting the storm on a light note.
About 2 p.m. Thursday, a semi-tractor trailer truck slid off M-35 just north of McFarland. The trucking was hauling lumber – reportedly various lengths of two-by-four boards. The trucker was pinned in his rig – and was freed from his crushed cab using the Jaws of Life.
The driver was not injured. No other vehicles involved. Michigan State Police are investigating the wreck that occurred in Delta County not far from Marquette County line.
Meanwhile just before dawn in Gogebic County – a grader operator reported he has been broadsided by a hit and run pickup truck in Bessemer, MI. The Gogebic County Road Commission grader was heavily damaged, however the driver was not hurt.
“We got a hit and run – a guy just T-boned me here at Bessemer Auto,” the Gogebic County Road Commission grader operator told 911 over the radio.
“He is still in Bessemer – I see his taillights headed west,” the grader operator said.
The grader “is still in the intersection,” a Road Commission supervisor said.
“I am half way through the intersection and traffic is passing me,” said the grader operator – who was told not to move the grader until law enforcement arrived.
The suspect “smashed up his truck pretty good.”
The hit-and-run vehicle “lost a tire” and “there is glass and plastic everywhere” left behind by the smashed up GMC. At first it was though the vehicle might be a Chevy – but evidence left behind made it not doubt it is a GMC.
“I see the emblem laying here,” the grader operator said.
Police searched for the pickup – but it’s not clear if it was found.
Suspect Vehicle:
Black early 2000’s GMC with heavy front end damage.
Upper Peninsula Breaking News by Greg Peterson 