U.S. 12 crash takes life of ex-state police officer

10/24/2003

JONESVILLE, Mich. — A former Michigan State Police sergeant died Wednesday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 12.

Joseph Merrill Brooks, 85, of Jonesville, driver of one of the vehicles, was taken to the Hillsdale Community Health Center, where he was pronounced dead.

A passenger in the other vehicle, Deborah Rodger, 54, was treated in the hospital.

Mr. Brooks was northbound on Milnes Road, just west of this Hillsdale County village, about 3 p.m. when, after stopping at a stop sign, he attempted to make a left turn onto U.S. 12. He turned into the path of an eastbound vehicle driven by William Rodger, 57, of Hillsdale, according to the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office.

Mr. Brooks served as a sergeant at the Jonesville post of the Michigan State Police.