LANSING, Mich. — A 15-year-old boy has tragically died following a five-vehicle crash in South Lansing last week, an incident that has sparked renewed calls for action against illegal street racing in the city.
The crash occurred last Thursday evening around 8:30 p.m. on Martin Luther King Blvd., near Pierce Rd. Multiple emergency responders from various jurisdictions were dispatched to the scene after the collision, which involved five vehicles in total. According to Lansing police, the crash was caused by two vehicles — a Jeep Cherokee and a Chevrolet Malibu — allegedly racing each other at high speeds down MLK Blvd.
As the two cars sped down the road, they collided with a vehicle attempting a legal turn onto the street. The impact set off a chain reaction, with the three vehicles crashing into two others. In total, 13 people — ranging in age from 3 to 52 — were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment.
Among the injured were the 19-year-old driver and the 15-year-old passenger of the Chevrolet Malibu, both of whom were ejected from the vehicle. The 19-year-old sustained critical injuries but was one of the 12 individuals released from the hospital by Monday. Tragically, the 15-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries, prompting an outpouring of grief from the community.
At this time, police are withholding the names of those involved in the crash, and no information has been released about the specific number of people in each vehicle. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In the wake of the tragedy, both Lansing city officials and residents are calling for more stringent measures to combat illegal street racing, which they say is becoming an increasingly dangerous problem in the area. Advocates for change are urging local authorities to implement stronger enforcement and to raise awareness about the risks associated with high-speed racing on public roads.
The incident has drawn attention to the growing concern over reckless driving and street racing, which continues to put innocent lives at risk. As the city grapples with the aftermath of this devastating crash, the hope is that decisive actions will be taken to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
