Montcalm County, MI (June 20, 2026) – Two teenagers were killed, and another person was injured after a four-vehicle crash on Thursday night, June 18, on M-46 near Derby Road in Montcalm County.
The crash happened around 11:11 p.m., according to Michigan State Police. Investigators said a westbound vehicle driven by a 49-year-old Grandville man rear-ended a Chevrolet Cruze occupied by two 17-year-olds. The impact caused the Cruze to spin into the eastbound lanes of M-46, where it was struck by an eastbound Ford F-150 and then an eastbound Chevrolet Traverse. The F-150 and Traverse were driven by a husband and wife from Saginaw who were traveling in separate vehicles.
The two teenagers inside the Cruze died from their injuries. The woman driving the Traverse was taken to a hospital for treatment. Authorities said alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash. The incident remains under review by authorities, and more details will be released as soon as they become available. Our condolences go out to the families of the deceased.
Why Multi-Vehicle Crashes Can Become More Severe
Multi-vehicle crashes can quickly become complicated when a single impact triggers additional collisions with other vehicles. When a vehicle is pushed into another lane of traffic, other drivers may have limited time to react.
High-speed roads can increase the severity of these crashes because vehicles are traveling faster. Factors such as driver awareness, road conditions, and impairment may also influence how a crash develops.
Investigators examine vehicle damage, roadway evidence, and driver actions to understand the full sequence of events. This review helps determine how each vehicle was involved in the collision.
