GRATIOT COUNTY — A 15-year-old boy from St. Johns died after a two-vehicle crash Friday evening in North Shade Township, according to the Gratiot County Sheriff’s Office.
Per a Dec. 20 news release, deputies were dispatched about 6:40 p.m. Dec. 26 to the intersection of M-57 and South Ferris Road for a serious vehicle accident, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators said a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old girl from St. Johns was traveling west on M-57 and attempted to overtake a westbound semi. The vehicle then crashed into an eastbound vehicle. The vehicles collided and ran into the tanker of the semi, according to the sheriff’s office.
Four people were transported to Sparrow Health in Carson City. The 15-year-old passenger later died at the hospital, the sheriff’s office said.
Alcohol or drugs did not appear to be a factor, the sheriff’s office said. Deteriorating road conditions and driver inexperience appeared to be factors.
Names of the injured and deceased were being withheld pending further investigation.
The sheriff’s office said it was assisted by the Michigan State Police, Carson City Police Department, Carson City Fire Department, Maple Rapids Fire/Rescue, Gratiot Emergency Services Authority, MMR, Montcalm County EMS, and Gratiot County Central Dispatch.