GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Police say they have not discovered how or why, but they suspect the driver who caused the crash that killed a 14-year-old boy in Plainfield Township Wednesday night was distracted.
“We are looking into many things, but we know that many times the cause of these accidents where traffic is backed up is because of distractions in the car,” explains Michigan State Police First Lieutenant Chris McIntire.
14-year-old Andy Larson, his younger brother and their parents, both physicians, were heading to a West Michigan Whitecaps game. They were stopped in traffic at the US 131 exit to Fifth Third Ballpark. The teenager was killed when their mini-van was hit from behind. His father administered CPR, but the teen died at the scene.
“I know so many people will remember his genuine kindness,” says family friend Michele Thornson. “Just a wonderful soul.”
Larson was about to start his first year of classes at the West Michigan Aviation Academy and play soccer on the junior varsity team.
“He was just so excited to start school,” says Thornson. “That kid was just remarkable.”
State Police investigators say they will look at phone records and data recorded by vehicle computers to try to learn why the driver who caused the crash did not notice traffic ahead was stopped.
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