No Criminal Charges for Driver who Hit, Killed Hamilton, MI, Fire Chief

Hamilton Fire Chief David Haverdink, who died on Christmas Day last year, served the department for 51 years.
April 21, 2026

ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI – The driver who struck and killed Hamilton Fire Chief David Haverdink at the scene of a medical emergency will not face criminal charges.

The driver was not identified.

The Allegan County Crash Reconstruction Team investigated, and Allegan County prosecutors determined criminal charges will not be sought, according to a Sheriff’s Department statement.

Haverdink was struck around 6 p.m. on Dec. 23 on M-40 near 136th Avenue, just south of Holland. He was taken by ambulance to University of Michigan Health-West in Wyoming in critical condition.

He died on Christmas Day.

Deputies early on said that speeding and alcohol did not appear to be factors in the crash.

Haverdink, 74, served 51 years with Hamilton Fire Department, mostly as chief.

He was a reserve deputy for the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department, where his brothers Dale and Ron worked, before he was elected sheriff in 1992. He served two four-year terms.

©2026 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit mlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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