.jpg)
Kokx
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HART — A 37-year-old Hart man has been charged with a misdemeanor of moving violation causing death in connection to an SUV vs. bicycle crash that resulted in the death of Joseph Richard Schaner, 72, of Hart last August.
Schaner was riding a bicycle on Oceana Drive west of Hogan Road in Weare Township when he was hit by an SUV driven by Adam John Kokx, Aug. 26, shortly before 8:30 a.m., according to the Michigan State Police, Hart post.
Kokx’s northbound vehicle struck Schaner, who was traveling in the same direction. He was declared dead at the scene, according to MSP.
Kokx pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Oceana County’s 79th District Court Tuesday, Feb. 18, according to court records. He faces a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail.
“This report was first referred to our office on Jan. 13, 2025,” said Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Bizon. “Our review required the Michigan State Police to provide additional evidence and follow up before the charge was issued Feb. 11, 2025. Any further comment on the facts of the case are prohibited by MRCP 3.6 and 3.8 that govern the conduct of prosecution and law enforcement making statements prior to any hearings in court.”
A pretrial in district court is scheduled for March 20 at 11:45 a.m.
____________________________________
Please Support Local News
Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide you with free local news.
The easiest way is to sign up for an automatic monthly payment on Paypal. Click this link.
Alternative methods:
We can send you an invoice for a yearly payment of $120, which you can conveniently pay online or by check. If you are interested in this method, please email editor@mediagroup31.com and we can sign you up. You can also mail a yearly check for $120 to Media Group 31, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454 (please include your email address).
We appreciate all our readers regardless of whether they choose to continue to access our service for free or with a monthly financial support.
If you would like to support MCP/OCP but do not wish to receive daily emails, please consider sending a contribution to any of the above methods or pay by Venmo (@masoncountypress).
_____
This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2025, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.
Please consider helping to fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals. Three ways to help us: Venmo: @MasonCountyPress; Paypal: MasonCountyPress@gmail.com; Mail a check to PO BOX 21, Scottville, MI 49454.
fb.com/stars
