Family and friends in Montcalm County are dealing with an unspeakable tragedy. Two local 17-year-olds lost their lives in a terrible car crash on Thursday night. Latrese McFerrin and Mark Pettengill were high school sweethearts who just started their own little family.
The young couple had a five-month-old baby boy together. Relatives say the two teens were completely devoted parents. Their whole world revolved around their new son. He was always their top priority every single day.
The nightmare began late Thursday evening. Latrese and Mark told their family they were making a quick run to a local gas station. They left the house but never came back home. Their sudden loss has left everyone in complete shock.
State troopers say the crash happened around 11:11 p.m. on M-46 near Derby Road. A 49-year-old driver from Grandville rear-ended the teens’ car. The violent impact shoved their vehicle directly into the oncoming eastbound lanes.
Once their car was pushed into traffic, two other vehicles struck them. A married couple driving separate cars toward Saginaw could not stop in time. Both Latrese and Mark were tragically pronounced dead right at the scene.
Emergency crews rushed another female driver to a nearby hospital with injuries. No other serious injuries were reported from the scene. Investigators believe that alcohol played a major role in causing this horrific wreck.
Now, a grieving community is coming together to support a baby who will grow up without his parents. Family members set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the funerals. They want to make sure the little boy is taken care of moving forward.
