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Crash victim who died was Coast Guardsman

Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette The driver of this 2002 Honda Accord, Jerome Berdecia, 21, died in a Monday morning head-on crash on M-26 near Dollar Bay. His wife, Meidalis Maldonado-Berdecia, 21, survived the crash.

HOUGHTON — The Houghton County Sheriff’s Department has released the names of the persons involved in last Monday’s fatal crash on M-26 in Franklin Township between Ripley and Dollar Bay.

Killed in the crash was Jerome Berdecia, 21, who was driving a Honda Accord. His wife, a passenger, 21-year-old Meidalis Maldonado-Berdecia survived. Initially transported to Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital, she was later transferred to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where she is listed in stable condition.

Jerome Berdecia was member of the United States Coast Guard and was stationed at the Coast Guard Station Portage in Dollar Bay at the time of the accident. A spokesman from the Sheriff’s Department said Berdecia was from New York.

Patrick Beyers, 63, was the driver of the Chevrolet pickup that was struck head-on. Deborah Beyers, 61, Patrick’s wife, along with their 34-year-old son, Craig Beyers, and their 6-year-old grandson, were passengers in the pickup. Deborah has been transported to Marquette General Hospital where she remains. Her condition is not currently known.  The rest of the occupants have since been released from Aspirus Keweenaw.

The Sheriff’s Department’s investigation revealed that Berdecia lost control of his vehicle, crossing the center line into the path of Beyers, causing the crash. The Sheriff’s Department spokesman said that Berdecia had definitely been driving too fast for conditions.

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