BENZIE COUNTY - A Northern Michigan community is still trying to come to terms with the loss of two high school students.
The students were two of three people killed in a recent fiery crash. The two were high school students from Benzie Central schools. No information has been given about the third person who died.
Two people were injured in the crash. One of them is a recent graduate of Buckley Community Schools.
Michigan State Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.
It happened this past Friday night after 11 o’clock on Read Road between Yates and Thompsonville Road in Cleon Township.
The principal of Buckley Community Schools, Todd Kulawiak, said the tragedy spreads across several Northern Michigan communities.
“When something like this happens for small communities, the communities try to help each other out.
Especially when the loss of life of young individuals is tragic and sudden. It affects so many people, friends, families, [etc.], " said Kulawiak.
He said they have a close relationship with neighboring Benzie Central Schools and they support each other.
“We were so close knit that I think we have students that are relatives of students that have passed away.
We have a lot of our staff that live reside in Benzie that used to teach at Benzie, used to attend Benzie. We have a lot of students that attend, that come to Buckley School of choice,” said Kulawiak.
He said they started putting together a plan as soon as they found out what had happened. Being closely intertwined, they also have been talking to Benzie Central where they lost two students.
Benzie Central Schools put out a statement Monday, laying out the supports they have in place for students and staff.
Kulawiak said Buckley Schools are following a similar plan, already having reached out to any students affected.
“We’ve had our counseling team, our behavior specialist, myself, the superintendent, available for any students. Just talking to a lot of students, over the last couple of days,” said Kulawiak.
He said they are also supporting former students-who have also contacted them.
“Sometimes former students or individuals don’t know where to go when they’re grieving like that. And sometimes the school’s the first place they want to go because they have trusted individuals that they want to talk to,” said Kulawiak.
A memorial filled with flowers and special items marks the scene of where that accident happened. Sgt. Ashley Miller, with the Michigan State Police Gaylord Post said, they’re still investigating that crash and they’re looking for your help.
“There was a fire on the scene when the vehicle struck the tree. So, that makes everything up just a little bit more difficult, especially when it’s a single car or two. So, we’re still looking for any witnesses that can try to help us with this investigation and to try to piece that together,” said Miller.
Troopers are still trying to find out if speed and alcohol played roles in the crash.
“We’re just going to do the best investigation that we possibly can, and try to bring closure to the families that are affected by this tragedy,” said Miller.