Underage Drinking Suspected In MI Crash That Killed 2 High School Teens: Report

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI — A lawyer believes a group of underage girls were served alcohol at fraternity party on the campus of Western Michigan before a crash killed two of them and injured three others, according to a WOODTV report.

The crash happened at 3:20 a.m. on Oct. 18 in Texas Township, which is near Kalamazoo, according to officials.

WMMT reported five teens were inside a car that was moving west on West R Avenue near South 2nd Street when the car left the south side of the road and crashed into a tree.

A 15-year-old and a 16-year-old were killed in the crash, officials said, adding a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were in critical but stable condition, according to the report.

Another 16-year-old was still in critical condition.

All five teens were students at Mattawan High School.

One victim's family is now represented by attorneys Chris Yates and Ven Johnson, who believe the teens went to a frat party where alcohol may have been involved.

"If they were served alcohol, any alcohol whatsoever, and if that alcohol led to the crash and these injuries, they (the fraternity) would have both criminal and civil liability under Michigan law. So we will absolutely be looking into that," Johnson told WOODTV.

Western Michigan University officials said they have suspended the fraternity, which was not identified.

"Western Michigan University is deeply saddened by the tragic crash that claimed the lives of two Mattawan high school students," university officials said. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died."

Investigators are still investigating the crash and trying to determine who was driving the car.

Officials did not immediately release the students’ names, but family members identified two victims as sisters.

A GoFundMe has been started for funeral expenses and ongoing hospital treatment.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office at 269-383-8748 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.