The cyclists were participating in the 35th annual Wish-A-Mile bike ride, a three-day endurance ride across most of Michigan, when they were hit, officials said. According to the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office, the men were traveling southbound when they were struck by an SUV traveling northbound. One bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids but died from his injuries. The three cyclists who survived are being treated for serious injuries, police said. Police are not releasing information about the driver pending the investigation, but he was arrested on two counts of Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death. “It is with heavy hearts that we remember our riders affected by the tragedy yesterday,” Make-A-Wish Michigan tweeted Sunday. “Our staff and the entire Make-A-Wish family are devastated and extend our deepest sympathies to the participating riders, their loved ones and all members of the Wish-A-Mile (WAM) community at this time.” The names of the cyclists will be released once all relatives have been notified.
