A tragic accident has claimed the life of Cindy Lewis, the co-owner and driving force behind Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo in western Michigan. The 56-year-old was struck and fatally injured by a fellow employee’s car in the zoo’s own parking lot early Friday morning — a freak incident that has left a tight-knit community heartbroken.
The incident occurred just before 8 a.m. on July 4, while the farm was still closed to the public. According to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis was hit by a 61-year-old employee who was arriving for work. Investigators say the driver did not see Lewis walking in the parking area. Authorities have ruled out drugs or alcohol as contributing factors and have described the tragedy as a “devastating accident.”
Deputies arriving on scene found Lewis pinned under the vehicle. She was initially taken to a local hospital in Muskegon before being airlifted to a Detroit trauma center. She succumbed to her injuries two days later.
“She was a positive, energetic pillar of our community,” the sheriff’s office said. “Cindy was instrumental in shaping not only the family business but the lives of so many who visited and worked with her.”
From Fruit Stand to 700-Acre Legacy
Lewis, together with her husband Scott, spent decades turning a modest fruit stand into one of Michigan’s premier agritourism destinations. Located in New Era, Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo spans 700 acres and attracts thousands of visitors annually with its blend of interactive animal experiences, family rides, and seasonal events.
“Cindy was the heartbeat of Lewis Farms,” the business said in a public statement. “She brought joy to everything she touched — the animals, our team, and every guest who walked through our gates.”
Photos shared online show Lewis feeding zebras and laughing with children, embodying the warmth that made the farm more than just a business — it was her life’s passion.
Family Devastated, But Determined to Continue
Cindy leaves behind her husband Scott, sons Tyler and Brandon, and daughters-in-law Becca and Makenna — all of whom are actively involved in the family operation.
“She didn’t build a routine around herself — she built it around her animals, her family, and her friends,” the family shared. “Her absence is overwhelming. But her legacy will continue.”
The farm has not yet announced when it will reopen to the public.
Lewis’s death comes at a time when agritourism is booming nationwide. As more families seek hands-on rural experiences, places like Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo are increasingly vital community anchors — and Cindy Lewis was one of the industry’s quiet trailblazers.
Plans for a memorial have not yet been made public. Friends, guests, and former employees are flooding the farm’s social media with tributes, describing her as “a light,” “a leader,” and “the kind of person who made you feel like family the second you met her.”
“She made everyone feel seen,” one former employee wrote. “And she never walked by an animal without stopping to say hello.”
This Fourth of July weekend, the flags at Lewis Farms flew at half-mast — not for the nation, but for the woman who gave her all to a dream that touched thousands.
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