Latrese McFerrin, Michigan: An alleged drunk driver triggers a devastating chain-reaction crash that leaves an infant boy orphaned.
A suspected drunk driver caused a massive four-vehicle wreck on M-46 late Thursday night. The terrible crash took the lives of two local teenagers in Montcalm County. Michigan State Police are currently investigating the details of the incident.
The crash happened at 11:11 p.m. near the intersection of Derby Road. Officials say a 49-year-old man from Grandville slammed into the back of a car. That vehicle was occupied by 17-year-olds Latrese McFerrin and Mark Pettengill.
The initial rear-end collision sent the teens' car spinning out of control. It crossed over into the eastbound lanes of traffic. Two more vehicles then slammed into the helpless car in a violent chain reaction.
Those two eastbound vehicles were driven separately by a husband and wife. The married couple was traveling toward Saginaw when the collision happened. First responders arrived quickly but pronounced both teenagers dead at the site.
A woman driving one of the oncoming cars suffered injuries during the wreck. Medics transported her to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The road remained completely closed between Derby and Sheridan Roads until Friday morning at 5:15 a.m.
State troopers confirmed that alcohol is a suspected factor in this fatal crash. The wreck cut short two young lives full of potential. The teenage victims had just stepped out of their house to go to a nearby gas station.
The double fatality leaves behind a heartbroken family and a five-month-old baby boy. Relatives have established a GoFundMe campaign to handle the upcoming funeral expenses. The funds will also help raise the young child who lost both parents in
an instant.
