Police: Michigan State coach was distracted prior to fatal accident

SUMMERFIELD TWP. – A Michigan State University associate coach was taken into custody by Monroe County Sheriff's deputies and released Friday after being involved in a fatal four-vehicle crash on U.S. 23.

Todd Moyer, 37, of Holt was driving southbound on U.S. 23 in Summerfield Township on Friday when the chain-reaction crash occurred, killing two people, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.

MSU  officials confirmed Monday that Moyer is an associate strength and conditioning coach with the MSU men’s basketball team.

Coach Tom Izzo released a statement Monday afternoon:

“We are aware of the July 14 fatal accident in Monroe County involving Todd Moyer, associate strength and conditioning coach. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims’ family during this difficult time. I can't imagine the pain they are feeling in losing two family members so tragically and so suddenly. As the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation, we will be monitoring the situation.”

According to the Friday news release, a preliminary investigation found Moyer was distracted at the wheel, though exactly what Moyer was doing wasn’t stated. Police believe Moyer struck the rear of a Hyundai Elantra driven by the woman with a 5-year-old passenger in the backseat. Both the woman and child were pronounced dead at the scene.

Sheriff's officials told the Monroe News on Sunday that the victims were Gladys Johnson, 35, and her daughter Za-Kira Johnson of Redford.

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After being rear-ended, the Hyundai was forced into the rear of a Toyota Solara driven by a 20-year-old man from Findlay, Ohio. The release says Moyer’s vehicle then struck the back of a Cadillac CTS driven by a 68-year-old Troy man who had a 67-year-old Troy woman as a frontseat passenger.

All the survivors of the crash declined medical treatment at the scene. Monroe Sheriff’s officials said all occupants of the vehicles were wearing seatbelts. Alcohol was not a factor, deputies said in the release.

Sgt. Chad Cupp of the Monroe County Jail said Moyer hasn't yet been arraigned on charges, pending the results of the Sheriff's Office crash investigation.

Accident investigators did not return calls Monday seeking additional information.

Elaine Kulhanek contributed to this report. Contact RJ Wolcott at (517) 377-1026 or rwolcott@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @wolcottr.