July 8, 2009 - 10:27 a.m. EST

JUNIATA TOWNSHIP — The July 4th holiday doesn’t usually pass by without incident on the roadway.

At 2:22 p.m. Saturday, the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a motorcycle/truck crash on M-46 and Ringle Road.

A GMC pick-up truck, driven by Bernard Friend, 53, of Saginaw was traveling eastbound on M-46 and crossed the centerline.

A westbound motorcyclist, Carey Misenar, 48, of Oxford was struck by the truck. His passenger was Margaret Misenar, 49. Both the Misenars were thrown off their 2007 Harley Davidson Motorcycle, sustaining injuries as a result of the crash.

Another motorcycle, operated by Michael Newcomb, 44, from Applegate was traveling behind the Misenars’ motorcycle. He was able to avoid the pick-up truck, but lost control and overturned. He and his passenger, Becky Hutchings, 39, from Comstock Park were also injured after being thrown from their 2005 Suzuki.

Larry Kirkey, 48, of Millington was headed to a Fourth of July cookout when the crash took place in front of him.

“It was really something,” he said. “I called 9-1-1 and asked them to send help and then everybody showed up so fast.”

The Vassar Police Department was the first to arrive on the scene, followed by county officers, the Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State Police and ambulance personnel.

Kirkey said he assisted one of the female crash victims while waiting for help.

“I tried to keep her calm and from going into shock,” he said.

All the people on the motorcycles were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. They were transferred to St. Mary’s of Michigan in Saginaw by Mobile Medical Response.

Carey Misenar was later transferred to Hurley Hospital of Flint. According to authorities, he suffered the most serious injuries with multiple broken bones. He has also had some reconstructive surgery.

The other motorcyclists were treated for their injuries and have since been released from St. Mary’s.

“It was such a comfort to know that the response team was so professional and fast in getting there to help out. When I talked to 9-1-1, they asked me questions and they were calm and professional,” said Kirkey. “It was very traumatic, but they just helped these people out and I was really impressed with what everyone did.”

Friend, who was uninjured in the crash, was cited for careless driving.