By: K. Michelle Moran | Grosse Pointe Times | Published December 6, 2023
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A car crash claimed the life of one Grosse Pointe teen and left another injured.
A report from police states that the single-vehicle crash took place at around 9:18 p.m. Nov. 17 on Ridge Road between Moran and Lewiston roads in Grosse Pointe Farms. Police said the vehicle was occupied by the driver, a 16-year-old from Grosse Pointe City, and a passenger, an 18-year-old from Grosse Pointe City. A witness told police the vehicle was traveling at “an extremely high rate of speed” when the driver lost control of the vehicle — a 2021 BMW X3 — and crashed into a streetlight and a tree on the north side of Ridge.
Responding public safety officers were able to remove the driver rapidly and take him to Ascension St. John Hospital, where he was initially said to be in critical condition but later upgraded to stable condition. Police said they needed to use extrication tools to remove the passenger, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger had just started his first year of college.
Grosse Pointe City officials said both teens were well known in the community and had been members of the City’s swim team, the Norbs, at Neff Park.
A Michigan State Police crash investigation team was called in to help with the investigation and reconstruct the scene. Police said they will look at the vehicle’s event data recorder to get more information. At press time, the crash remained under investigation.
During a Nov. 20 Grosse Pointe City Council meeting, several council members expressed their sorrow about the news.
Councilman Seth Krupp offered condolences to the family and friends of the two young men in the crash, as did Councilman Terence Thomas.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families,” Krupp said.
City Councilman Christopher Walsh said his daughter knew both young men from the swim team. Both teens were friends who lived down the street from one another, he said.
“She said these kids were as good as it gets,” Walsh said of a comment made by his daughter.
He acknowledged that this was a difficult time for many in the community.
“It’s very tough stuff,” Walsh said. “These kids, this community — they’re hurting. All of our feelings are with them. It’s time for us as a community to rally. … This is the stuff that matters.”