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Tom Kritzman was riding east with three bikers Ð two abreast - on Bay City - Forestville Road, east of Obee Road around midnight Saturday, when he tried to pass two bikes in front of him.

Kritzman attempted to pass on the shoulder, but lost control of the machine when he pulled back onto the new stretch of blacktop, said Sheriff Department Sgt. Bob Willis.

The motorcycle flipped, causing Kritzman to lose his helmet and slide 300 to 400 feet on the pavement, said the sergeant.

A 911 call to central dispatch around 12:10 a.m. alerted authorities to the accident. However, before help arrived, the other bikers Ð two men and a woman Ð who witnessed the crash left the scene.

"They came in (to the sheriff's department) and gave statements (on Sunday), said Willis.

The three reported they left the scene because "they were scared, upset" and "admitted to drinking earlier," he stated.

Kritzman died Sunday afternoon at St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw, after being airlifted by helicopter. He was transported from the scene by Deckerville ambulance to Deckerville, where he was picked up by Flight Care.

Fire departments from Minden City, Delaware Township and Deckerville, and ambulances from Deckerville and Bingham assisted sheriff's deputies at the scene.

The police report will be submitted to the Sanilac County prosecutor for possible criminal charges.