Two 17-Year-Old Parents Killed in Four-Vehicle Crash on M-46

A 49-year-old Grandville man is suspected of driving under the influence in a crash that killed two 17-year-old new parents last week, according to Michigan State Police.

Latrese McFerrin and Mark Pettengill died in a four-vehicle collision on M-46 near Derby Road in Montcalm County at approximately 11:11 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, MSP said.

The two teens were dating and shared a 5-month-old son, according to a GoFundMe page created by their family.

"They were very loved and their 5-month-old boy will know who his parents are, and he will know how much they loved him," a family member said. "He was their top priority 24/7, they always talked about him and their world lit up every time they saw him."

The Crash Sequence

According to MSP, the Grandville man was driving westbound on M-46 when he rear-ended the Chevrolet Cruze carrying McFerrin and Pettengill.

The impact spun the Cruze into the eastbound lanes, where it was struck by an eastbound Ford F-150 and then T-boned by an eastbound Chevrolet Traverse, MSP said.

The two eastbound vehicles were driven separately by a husband and wife from Saginaw who were returning home, police said. The woman driving the Traverse was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

M-46 was closed between Derby Road and Sheridan Road overnight and reopened around 5:15 a.m. Friday, MSP said.

Impaired Driving Suspected

Lt. Pat Agema of Michigan State Police told FOX 17 that the Grandville man is believed to have been impaired while behind the wheel.

"Our heart goes out to the community, to the family and friends, you know, our prayers and thoughts go out, go out to them, and I hope the community keeps them in their thoughts and prayers as well," Agema said.

Agema urged drivers to make good decisions as summer travel increases.

"When you're behind the wheel, make good decisions, you know. Slow down, safety has to be a priority. Put the phone down, don't ever drive impaired, wear your seat belt," Agema said.

A Baby Left Without Parents

Family members said McFerrin and Pettengill had left home to go to a gas station and never returned.

Both teens were pronounced dead at the scene.

Their family created a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs and provide support for their infant son.

"The pain of losing them so suddenly is something words can hardly describe, and we are doing our best to honor their memory and care for their son," the GoFundMe page read. "We are raising funds to help with funeral arrangements and to provide support for their baby boy as he faces a future without his parents."

The MSP investigation remains ongoing. The Grandville driver has not been publicly identified or charged as of this reporting.