16 family members hit by same car, 2 dead, Michigan hit-and-run driver arrested
A woman was set to face charges after authorities say she was behind the wheel when her vehicle slammed into a group of 16 family members in Michigan, killing two and sending the rest to hospitals in what could be a drunk driving incident.
The crash took place Saturday night in Watertown Township, about 12 miles northwest of downtown Lansing.
The victims in the fatal hit-and-run crash ranged in age from age 2 to 61, according to the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, which responded to the tragic weekend wreck along with more than a dozen other agencies across greater Lansing.
The crash killed a 30-year-old Grand Haven man and a 42-year-old Grand Ledge man, while 14 other victims were sent to hospitals, according to a statement posted on the sheriff's office Facebook page.
As of Monday morning, officials have not identified the victims or said where they are from, but did release the ages of those transported to hospitals as: 2, 2, 3, 6, 6, 7, 8, 16, 27, 28, 32, 33, 38, and 61.
Six family members remained in the hospital, the sheriff's office said Sunday night, adding that eight had been released.
"With heavy hearts, we pray for all of the individuals and families affected by this incident. We are here for all of you," the sheriff's office posted on Facebook.
Driver fled scene, was later arrested
The sheriff's office reported the hit-and-run crash took place about 6:30 p.m. on South Wacousta Road.
The woman who was driving the vehicle fled the scene, but was later arrested several miles away, the sheriff's office wrote in an updated release posted early Sunday.
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Suspect who struck Michigan family was allegedly driving drunk
As of Monday, officials had not identified the person behind the wheel, but the Lansing State Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported a 35-year-old woman from Gratiot County was being held in the Clinton County Jail and was set to be arraigned on unspecified charges in connection to fatal the hit-and-run.
"Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this incident," sheriff's office Lieutenant Dan Spitzley posted in the release, adding the crash remained under investigation Monday.
The 35-year-old driver was expected to be arraigned Monday.
The sheriff's office did not say what the charges suspect was arrested on.
Community mourns 'senseless tragedy'
News of the fatal wreck drew swift response from people on the sheriff's social media page.
"A senseless tragedy. My prayers are for this whole family. Thank you for this update," one person posed on an update on the page Sunday evening.
Law enforcement has not released additional information about the family, including where they are from, but Lyah VanSickle, chief development officer at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, posted on the sheriff's page the family was coming from a trip down the nearby Looking Glass River when the driver struck them.
"Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan is heartbroken by the recent tragedy that occurred down the street from our Girl Scout Regional Center and Girl Scout Camp," VanSickle wrote.
The Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, VanSickle wrote, has organized a cookie donation drive for the responding agencies.
USA TODAY has reached out to VanSickle, who wrote the family was asking for privacy.
Contributing: Lansing State Journal staff
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.