CLIO, MI—A Clio firefighter killed by a drunken driver may have a stretch of Genesee County road renamed in his honor.
House Bill 4081 introduced by state Rep. Sheryl Kennedy, D-Davison, to rename a portion of M-57 (Vienna Road) “Firefighter Mike Wager Memorial Highway.”
Wager died after he was involved in an off-duty accident around 8 p.m. July 30, 2016 near the intersection of Dort Highway and Dodge Road in Thetford Township. He was 49 years old.
Kristin Mae Bowers, of Howell, pleaded no contest in March 2017 to charges of operating while intoxicated causing death and failing to stop at the scene of accident when at fault resulting in death.
She was sentenced in May 2017 by Genesee Circuit Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut to spend between 3 and 15 years in prison - with credit for four days spent in jail - at the Huron Valley Women’s Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti.
“Today, we took another step closer to commemorating the life and work of one of our local heroes,” said Kennedy in a Thursday, Sept. 5 news release. “Designating this highway is the least we can do to ensure that Firefighter Wager’s work will never be forgotten. Mike represented all that was best in us, and I believe his tireless commitment to our community will continue to inspire Michiganders for years to come.”
Clio Area Fire Chief Kerry Paulson previously said Wager, Paulson’s cousin, was a member of the department for eight years and served as a firefighter and head of maintenance at Fire Station No. 1.
“He was my go-to-guy when something needed to be fixed,” said Paulson, who was toned out for the accident call to provide the Jaws of Life. “Friendly guy that would help anybody do anything.”
Paulson said Wager “loved the fire department” and joined up after Paulson and another cousin got on board in Clio.
Born and raised in the Clio area, Wager also enjoyed the outdoors and would tag along on trips up north to a cabin.
“One of those fantastic individuals,” Paulson said.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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