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Prisoner dies days after attempted escape on US-127, Mecosta Co. sheriff says

UPDATE 10/27/24 6:10 p.m.

The latest update from the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office on a prisoner who was transported to the hospital in Grand Rapids for critical injuries.

Tyler Lee Ormsbee from Kalamazoo has now died after being in critical condition from injuries he suffered while attempting to escape from a transport van on US-127.

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Ormsbee escaped from a secured compartment during transfer to the Michigan Department of Corrections prompted by a probation violation.

This incident is still under investigation by the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Sheriff’s Association Mission Team.

UPDATE 10/25/24 6:30 p.m.

More details from the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office after a prisoner was critically injured after escaping from a moving transport vehicle.

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Mecosta County Sheriff Brian Miller said it happened around 7:40 Thursday morning as several deputies were taking the prisoner to the state prison in Jackson.

“My heart goes out to everybody involved. The individual, his family, my staff, those of us that assisted them,” said Miller.

Miller said the prisoner escaped from the back of a transport van as it was traveling south on US-127 in Gratiot County, resulting in life threatening injuries.

Sheriff Miller wouldn’t elaborate on how the prisoner was able to escape but did say the prisoner was taken to a hospital in Grand Rapids where he was listed in critical condition.

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“Not a whole lot at this point. It is an open investigation that the Michigan State Police are conducting. It’s just an unfortunate set of circumstances. And just out of respect to all the parties involved in the investigation at this point, we really can’t speak any further. I want to make sure that everything’s done in the most professional and ethical manner it can be,” said Miller.

The Michigan State Police Lakeview Post is in charge of the investigation into the incident.

10/24/24 1:00 p.m.

Around 7:40 a.m. Thursday morning, the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office was transporting a prisoner.

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Deputies said the prisoner was able to escape from the rear compartment of the moving transport vehicle. They sustained life-threatening injuries and are being treated at a local hospital.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Michigan State Police.

9&10 News has reached out to the Sheriff’s Office for more information about the incident.

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