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DALLAS TOWNSHIP — Four young people were killed in a one-vehicle accident last Thursday in Clinton County, including residents from Belding, Greenville and Muir, while a fifth person from Ionia has survived.
Clinton County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the crash on West Townsend Road west of Jones Road at 3:14 p.m. on July 6.
Initial investigation revealed that an eastbound vehicle driven by Haylee Hart, 22, of Greenville lost control, went off the roadway and struck a tree. Hart was pronounced deceased at the scene.
There were four other occupants in this vehicle — three males and one female.
Those who also died as a result of the crash were Ryan Thelen, 21, of Greenville, Louis Lutz, 18, of Muir and a 16-year-old female from Belding (her name has not yet been released as she was a minor).
Jaden Cook, 18, of Ionia is the lone survivor. The Ionia High School student is in stable condition and is recovering at a hospital.
Lutz was also an Ionia High School student, according to Ionia Public Schools Superintendent Ben Gurk, who sent out a letter to the community about Lutz’s death and Cook’s condition.
“Louis had a passion for working with animals,” Gurk wrote. “The Lutz-VanderWerff family has asked that anyone wishing to offer assistance during this difficult time make a donation to the Ionia County Animal Shelter. Grief counseling will be available at Ionia High School on Monday for anyone in need. Our hearts and prayers are with all of the families impacted by this tragedy.”
Lutz’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday at St.John’s Episcopal Church in Ionia, followed by a luncheon at the Community Center in Muir.
The crash remains under investigation, according to to Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were assisted on the scene by the Pewamo Fire Department, Dallas Township Fire Department and Clinton Area Ambulance, as well as several citizens.
