Police investigating fatal Coldwater lawn mower operator crash

A semi-truck rear-ended 46-year-old Casey Rice last Thursday, June 4, while he was cutting the grass in the median on I-69 in Coldwater. Rice died in the hospital two days later. Police believe drugs may have been a factor in the crash, but are still running tests to confirm. "We get the blood draw, we send it over to our labs, they'll do an analysis, and then they'll get the results back to us and then we'll know whether or not drugs were indeed a factor," said Michigan State Police public information officer Lieutenant DuWayne Robinson. Previous coverage: Mower operator rear ended by semi truck on I-69 in Branch County died Robinson told News Channel 3 the crash is still under investigation, which is why they have not made an arrest in the crash yet. He said this is common practice. "In these cases, it's not unusual for us to wait until the investigation is totally complete," Robinson said. "That also includes lab analysis reports. So once all of that is returned to us, then we'll have a complete package to send over to the prosecutor's office. The prosecutor will review all that information and they'll determine what if any charges need to be authorized in this case. This is not uncommon, this is common with crashes such as this." Local weather: Blistering heat and two chances for severe storms in West Michigan Robinson also said this fatal crash is a reminder of the state's 'Move Over Law,' which requires drivers to change into the opposite lane when emergency and maintenance vehicles are present. If a driver kills a road worker or other emergency response personnel, they face the possibility of up to 15 years in prison and/or a $7,500 fine. "You need to have your eyes focused on the road, hands on the wheel, and be prepared to make an adjustment to make sure that you proceed past that scene where those workers are without causing a crash or causing them to come to some type of harm," said Robinson. News Channel 3 will update this story when an arrest is made in the crash and charges are filed.