Allegan County, MI — A devastating wrong-way crash on US-131 early Sunday morning has left four people dead, shaking families and communities across West Michigan. Authorities say 38-year-old Erin Louise Jones of Grand Rapids was driving her Subaru Legacy in the wrong direction when she collided head-on with a Ford Fusion, resulting in a violent impact that proved fatal for those involved.
According to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), three people were pronounced dead at the scene. On Tuesday, ACSO Lt. Brandon Berens confirmed that a fourth victim — a 17-year-old girl from Portage who had been riding in the backseat of the Ford Fusion — succumbed to her injuries. Her name has not yet been released publicly.
The early-morning crash unfolded with little time for drivers to react. Emergency responders arrived to find both vehicles heavily damaged and passengers critically injured. Despite life-saving efforts, the tragedy claimed multiple lives and left first responders, families, and community members grappling with the enormity of the loss.
Investigators are still working to determine what led Jones to enter the highway going the wrong direction. Toxicology reports and additional collision analysis are pending, the sheriff’s office said.
The loss of the 17-year-old girl has struck the Portage community particularly hard. Friends, classmates, and neighbors have begun organizing memorials, describing the teen as bright, warm-hearted, compassionate, and deeply loved.
“This is one of those tragedies that sends ripples far beyond the scene,” Lt. Berens said. “Multiple families are grieving unimaginable loss.”
The crash has also renewed discussions around road safety and awareness, particularly concerning late-night and early-morning driving conditions.
As loved ones mourn, many say the focus now must be on supporting families who will never be the same.
Community members have already begun lighting candles, sharing stories, and offering prayers — gestures of grief and solidarity in the face of overwhelming heartache.
Funeral arrangements for the victims are expected to be shared in the coming days.
Tonight, West Michigan grieves — four lives gone far too soon, with families left to hold memories in place of futures that should have unfolded.