Tragedy Befalls Chelsea Again

Once again, the Chelsea community is coming together to console one of its families after the sudden death of one of our citizens. John Winans died last Wednesday, November 1, 2006, after being struck on his bicycle by a car near East and Summit streets. I was at the scene of the accident not long after it happened. Planning and Zoning Administrator Jim Drolett came upon the accident right after it happened and called me.

Our new Chief of Police Ed Toth along with the outgoing Interim Chief of Police Rod Salyer were the police officers that responded to the accident. The Chelsea Area Fire Authority personnel including Fire Chief Jim Payeur and emergency medical personnel from Huron Valley Ambulance were on scene and worked tirelessly to save John, but his injuries were too severe. The driver of the car that struck John was not at fault.

John was 52 years old and was the son of George and Jeannette Winans and brother to Rob and Curt. The Winans family is well known in the Chelsea area. Winans Jewelry in downtown Chelsea is a fourth generation business. Rob and Lori Winans are the current owners. The Winans family has had their business in Chelsea since 1898.

John was a part of Chelsea and was frequently seen riding his bicycle around town. He was known as a zealous Michigan State fan, which is sometimes hard to do in the heart of Michigan Wolverine country. He had been employed at Chelsea Community Hospital for over 30 years.

There were long lines out the door of the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home as the Chelsea community came to express their sympathy to the Winans family. Please keep the Winans family as well as the driver of the car and her family in your thoughts and prayers.