Man killed in motorcyle crash in Superior Township is identified

By Lee Higgins Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.

A man killed Wednesday night in a motorcycle crash in Superior Township has been identified as 21-year-old Michael Francis Griebe, Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies said.

Deputies say Griebe, who lives in the township, died about 6:05 p.m. after losing control of a 2004 Suzuki motorcycle, while traveling west on Old Ford Road at a high rate of speed.

The motorcycle went off the road and into a ditch and hit some tree limbs and a stump, throwing him off the bike, investigators said. He was wearing a helmet. Deputies said the accident occurred east of Plymouth Road.

Alcohol also appears to be a factor in the crash, deputies said.

Amanda Becker, 25, of Manchester, who is a friend of Griebe's, was saddened to learn of the accident, she said. Becker got together with Griebe and about 10 of his friends for a bonfire Saturday at Griebe's parent's home in the Ann Arbor area, she said.

"He loved hanging out with his friends, spending time with his girlfriend," she said. "I never saw a bad side of him."

Anyone with information about the accident can call the sheriff's department tip line at (734) 973-7711.