Beloved Holland Christian Schools Bible Teacher Dies After 44-Foot Pole Strikes Vehicle on Way to Work
Kevin Witte, a beloved, 37-year-old Bible history teacher and soccer coach is now being mourned by his family and colleagues at the Holland Christian Schools in Michigan after he died Tuesday from injuries he suffered Monday when his vehicle was struck by a 44-foot long pole that was being hauled by a Parkway Electric truck.
Dan Meester, superintendent of Holland Christian Schools, announced Witte's death in a message posted to the school's Facebook page Tuesday.
"It is with a heavy heart that I'm writing to inform you that shortly after 7 o'clock tonight, Holland Christian Schools lost our beloved teacher, coach, and friend — Mr. Kevin Witte. This news hurts. It pains us to the core," Meester wrote.
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"For as long as you have been Christians, you've learned about Jesus' victory over sin and death on the cross and the resulting redemption for us. Mr. Witte — right now — is living out that truth in the presence of God. We can give praise for that, but it doesn't take away the pain of loss we feel without Kevin in our lives. And this is when we need each other," he added in the message to the school community.
Meester also asked them to pray for Witte's wife, Shari, and his children, Katelyn, Jared and Lucas.
The Detroit Free Press reported that the accident that claimed Witte's life happened around 7:10 a.m. Monday on 120th Avenue at Garden Avenue while on his way to work.
Investigators say a 2000 Ford Stake truck from Parkway Electric hauling a 44-foot pole was heading south on 120th in the turn lane to turn onto Garden. As the truck driver was turning left, the pole swung out into the traffic lane and crashed through the windshield of Witte's 2005 Ford Explorer, striking him before continuing outside the rear cargo window.
Witte was unconscious when crews arrived and he was rushed to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Sgt. Steve Austin with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department told Fox 17 that the Parkway Electric truck that hauled the pole that struck Witte exceeded 40 feet which requires a permit and escort as well as a flag during the day and a light at night to clearly mark it.
Investigators found a light at the end of the pole but may issue a ticket, Austin said. The Ottawa County prosecutor is expected to review the case once the investigation is done.
In a statement released to Fox 17 about the accident, Parkway Electric said: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in Monday's accident. We continue to fully cooperate with authorities investigating the accident."
According to the website of Holland Christian Schools, Witte began teaching at there in 2012 after feeling God's call.
"I spent 10 years at Kalamazoo Christian Middle School before coming to Holland Christian, teaching classes in history, Bible, math, academic support, physical education, and even the musical," he wrote.
"I am married to Shari and we have three children. We have felt both God's call to come to Holland and His provision as we have searched for a church, a place to live, and relationships in the area. We all love to be outside, and experiencing Holland's beaches and parks has been a highlight. I enjoy playing sports, traveling, Geocaching, and being with family," he added.
Witte appeared especially fond of teaching history because: "Teaching history allows us to ask questions of God's sovereignty and plan, and through our study, we make clearer our own faith and worldview."
On Wednesday, members of the school community formed a prayer circle around Holland Christian High School to remember Witte, according to the Detroit Free Press.
"After my final exam, he teared up and I teared up and I shook his hand and we exchanged email addresses and said 'keep in contact'," Jack Frye told the publication. "Actually last week, I got a message through another Bible teacher saying that he missed me. I really just can't believe he's gone."
"Just a really heartfelt guy, he really cared about you as a student," former student Jack Clark said. "I've never had a teacher who's done that before, who really cared about you, took time out of his own academics and teaching just to meet you and come be with you."
