Battle Creek Man Charged in Kalamazoo Bike Tragedy

Charles Edward Pickett, Jr. of Battle Creek has been officially charged with five counts of Second Degree Murder, and four counts of Reckless Driving Causing Serious Impairment in connection to the bike tragedy that occurred Tuesday evening in Kalamazoo.

Five bicyclists were killed and four others were seriously injured when they were hit by a blue pickup truck just north of Kalamazoo.

Judge Christopher Haenicke approved the charges at a probable cause hearing in Kalamazoo County District court on Thursday afternoon.

The prosecuting attorney, Jeffrey S. Getting, released this statement:

As members of the Kalamazoo community we have all been dealt a devastating blow by the deaths and injuries of so many innocent people... Our hearts are saddened for the victims, their families and friends who are trying to cope with this tragedy. As a community, we must reach out to them and give them our support as we all struggle to deal with what has happened.

The victims who died Tuesday night have been identified as Debra Ann Bradley, Melissa Ann Fevig-Hughes, Fred Anton (Tony) Nelson, Lorenz John (Larry) Paulik, and Suzanne Joan Sippel.

The injured riders have been identified as Paul Douglas Gobble, Sheila Diane Jeske, Jennifer Lynn Johnson, and Paul Lewis Runnels.

Those wishing to help out the families of the victims or those who were injured can make a donation to Kalamazoo Strong.

Check out this video taken Wednesday night at the Kalamazoo Ride of Silence.