One dead, 8 injured in I-96 crash

EAGLE TWP. – A 13-year-old Grand Rapids boy was killed and eight other people were injured in a crash Thursday afternoon on Interstate 96, just west of M-100.

Michigan State Police identified the boy as Qumele Marshall. The names of the other victims were not released.

All nine victims were riding in a sport-utility vehicle that collided with another SUV in the eastbound lanes near the exit to Wright Road and rolled, Michigan State Police Sgt. Pete Smith said.

Several of them were ejected from the vehicle, he said.

The occupants ranged from "infant age to grandmother age," Smith said.

The other eight victims were taken to Sparrow Hospital with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, state police said in a news release. One was airlifted to the hospital while the others were taken in ground ambulances.

Two people riding in the other SUV were not injured, Smith said.

The crash happened about 4:40 p.m. and caused police to close both sides of the freeway at the Wright Road interchange for a time, causing lengthy traffic backups on the eve of the July 4 weekend. The eastbound lanes were closed for about 3 1/2 hours.

State police said the vehicle carrying the nine injured people went out of control and struck the second vehicle, causing the first vehicle to roll. Alcohol did not appear to be a factor, they said. Seat belt use was undetermined.

The crash remained under investigation, Smith said.