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According to Kalkaska County Sheriff William Artress, central dispatch received several 911 calls reporting a serious injury accident at the scene of the crash.Ê Emergency responders from two fire and rescue agencies reportedly worked to remove Karppinen from the 2003 Hyundai Sonata she was driving.

Sheriff's deputies from the Sheriff's Accident Investigation Team responded and continue the investigation.

Ê Reports indicated Karppinen was the sole occupant of the vehicle that was southbound on Valley Road.

Ê The vehicle reportedly lost control on the wet roadway, left the west side of the road and impacted some trees.

Clearwater Township Fire and Rescue, Kalkaska Township Fire & Rescue, Whitewater Township Ambulance, and Northflight Air all responded to the scene.

"Certainly, it was a tragedy,"Kalkaska High School principal, Dale Kaza, said. "It is especially difficult this time of year, around graduation.

"I always try to hone-in on safety, but that usually is directed toward the celebration. This was just a different kind of accident."

Kaza said that Kalkaska Public Schools staff members have a crisis plan in place to make sure the students who needed help got it.

ÊÊ Investigation into the accident by the Sheriff's Accident Investigation Team continues.

Karppinen's obituary is in this issue of The Leader.