In the early hours of Sunday, Nov. 2, a tragic collision on northbound U.S. 131 in Allegan County claimed the lives of three people and left three others in critical condition, according to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say the crash occurred after a 38-year-old woman from Grand Rapids, driving a Subaru Legacy, exited the highway at 129th Avenue in Wayland Township, then entered the on-ramp for northbound lanes and made a U-turn — proceeding south in the northbound lanes. The wrong-way vehicle then collided head-on with a northbound Ford Fusion near mile-marker 57 in Martin Township.
The driver of the Subaru was pronounced dead at the scene, as were the driver and front-seat passenger of the Fusion — an 18-year-old man from Kalamazoo identified as Emmanuel Browning, and another 18-year-old male passenger. A fourth fatality, a 17-year-old female passenger from the Portage area riding in the Fusion, later died from her injuries.
The back-seat occupants of the Fusion — all teenagers aged between 16-18 — remain hospitalized in serious or critical condition. The sheriff’s office indicated that the identities of the remaining victims will not be released, in deference to family wishes and the juvenile status of some persons involved.
Investigators said alcohol is suspected to have been a factor in the wrong-way driver’s actions, though toxicology results are pending. The crash reconstruction team is examining the vehicle’s path, which included a southbound approach in the proper lanes, the off-ramp, then re-entry into northbound lanes backwards, and travel for several miles before impact.
Officials emphasized that the occupants of the northbound vehicle had no opportunity to avoid the collision. As Lt. Brandon Berens noted, “The speeds that were involved here, reaction times would have been absolutely minimal.”
In the wake of the tragedy, Portage Public Schools confirmed the 17-year-old was a current student at its alternative high school and noted resources have been made available to students and staff affected by the news.
The highway was closed for several hours while crews cleared the scene and conducted the investigation. The community remains in mourning as officials await lab results and prepare to brief additional details in the coming days.