Wedding Plans Become Funeral Arrangements Following A Car Crash That Left The Groom and Best Man Dead Just Two Days Before The Wedding Day.

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Article By:  Phillip Brunelle

www.TyingTheKnott.com

HOLLAND, MICHIGAN  --  The excitement of this weekend's wedding plans was abruptly changed to sadness and disbelief following a crash that killed two men Thursday.

Chad Bradbury, 24, the groom, was returning home from picking up tuxedos to prepare for his wedding on Saturday when an SUV driven by a friend, and Bradbury's best man, Jeffrey Hinds, was reportedly speeding, went out of control and hit a ditch that sent the SUV airborne, crashing into the second floor of a house.

The accident scene was horrific according to the homeowner, Scott Vander Zwaag, who was not home at the time of the crash, but even worse, the crash left both passengers dead, including the groom, Chad Bradbury, and his future brother-in-law, Michael Stille. The driver, and would-be best man, Jeffrey Hinds, survived the crash and was hospitalized, where he is said to be in fair condition.

Chad Bradbury left work at Vandenberg Stereo, telling the guys he'd be back soon. Co-workers said that Bradbury was excited... he was about to pick-up his tuxedo, less than 48 hours from being a married man. His wedding was to have been held Saturday at a church in Holland.

“That's what's so haunting,” said Ron Vandenberg, Bradbury's boss, “when he left we had no idea that was the last time I was going to say goodbye to him. So devastating.”

Many are now haunted by the fact that Bradbury will never come back and won't have the chance to marry the love of his life, Samantha Stille.

“I was speechless, the only thing was I just didn't know what to say, didn't know what to say,” said Peterson. “He was a good guy, and right away I started thinking of how his fiancée (Samantha Stille) must have felt.”

Not only did Samantha Stille, the would-be bride, lose her fiancé, she also lost her brother Michael Stille, who was also killed in the wreck.

“We can't imagine the sorrow that they're feeling right now because of this,” said Vandenberg.

A memorial went up Friday in front of the Holland Peanut Store where Samantha and her brother worked. That store was closed Friday.

Now, many are thinking of what could have been, a marriage that never was and two funerals no one was ready for.

“The usual getting married jokes, but he took it quite seriously,” said Vandenberg. “He was really enthused about it, excited about it, looking forward to their honeymoon in Aruba.”

While Jeffrey Hinds remains hospitalized in fair condition, police have not confirmed whether or not any charges will be brought against Hinds for what they say was obvious speeding and reckless driving.

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