Three killed in crash involving Grayling golf team
MSP officials stated the accident occurred shortly before 11:25 a.m. Monday on County Road 612, at the intersection with Crawford Lake Road, in Excelsior Township. The crash resulted in three fatalities, with seven other victims transported and admitted to the Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
“The preliminary investigation shows that a white Ford Windstar van was eastbound on County Road 612,” a release by the MSP stated. “A silver Ford Freestar van was northbound on Crawford Lake Road NE, approaching the intersection and stop sign at County Road 612. Six members of the Grayling High School golf team and their coach occupied this vehicle.”
MSP officials reported the white Windstar van was driven by 45-year-old Rhonda Mitchell, with her daughter and granddaughter also in the vehicle. Mitchell's daughter, 27-year-old Cassandra Stapleton, was fatally injured. Mitchell and Stapleton were both from Kalkaska.
Three victims were ejected from the silver van, police reported. One of those ejected, 18-year-old student-athlete Louis Menard, was fatally injured. The driver of the van, 28-year-old coach Jason Potter, was also fatally injured. A second person ejected from the silver Freestar was pinned under the white Windstar, according to police reports.
The seven surviving crash victims were transported to and admitted at the Munson Medical Center. As of late Monday night, MSP officials reported two as being listed in critical condition, two in serious condition and three listed in fair condition.
According to police reports, the two vehicles collided in the intersection, sending both vehicles off the roadway into an open yard on the northeast corner of the intersection.
“The silver van appears to have rolled at least once before landing upright, while the white van rolled several times before coming to rest upright,” MSP officials stated. “At this time, it is unknown for certain if speed limits and/or traffic control devices were observed.”
MSP troopers were reportedly flagged down as they arrived on scene moments after the crash occurred. The white Windstar van was on fire and, after calling in the crash, troopers extinguished the fire and began assisting the victims with the help of several witnesses. The MSP accident reconstructionist was called to the scene and will continue to investigate and assist troopers in the investigation.
The county roadway was closed for several hours Monday afternoon, as MSP officials investigated the accident scene. It was open again to traffic shortly before 5 p.m.
News of the tragedy was quickly communicated on social media websites, such as Facebook, with residents of the Grayling area and supporters of the high school's athletic teams posting and asking for people to keep the golf team in their prayers.
Also, a Facebook page, “Community Vigil For The Grayling Golf Team,” was posted on Monday by Rachel Greenway and Hannah Golnick.
“As many of you know, our local Grayling Golf team was involved in a terrible car accident today on their way to a golf meet in Kalkaska County,” the page reads. “Six players and the coach were injured. “It is time for our community to come together and help each other get through this heart breaking event. I have gotten clearance to hold a vigil in the clubhouse of the Grayling Country Club. Please feel free to bring candles, keepsakes of those involved, pictures or anything else you would like to remember and honor our students, friends and family members.”
While the names of the other injured players were not released by the MSP, the Facebook page states that golf team members Mason Krey, Tyler Summers, Jake Hinkle, Gunner Metzer and Dallas Johnson were also involved in the fatal crash.
According to the Facebook page, the vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, at the Grayling Country Club, the golf team's home course, located on the I-75 Business Loop in Grayling.
