Berrien County Road Department employee killed by man driving under the influence

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BUCHANAN, Mich. -- William "Mack" Isom, a nearly 25-year employee of the Berrien County Road Department, was working to clear a tree on Red Bud Trail when he was struck by a Buchanan man driving under the influence.

According to investigators, 34-year old Taylor Johnson of Buchanan was driving southbound on Red Bud Trail at a high speed.

He was arrested and is currently charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

The incident is still under investigation, but according to Berrien County Administrator Brian Dissette, Isom followed all proper safety procedures.

"At the accident reconstruction, the safety cones were found and his vehicle was parked in the proper location," said Dissette.  "He was struck needlessly by someone who was driving at a high rate of speed in a zone that was well marked."

Members of the Berrien County Road Department are reviewing the incident to see if there is anything they can learn from Isom's death to keep road workers safer while working on rural roads.




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