You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.

Families, Okemos community mourn teens killed in crash on US-23

By AnnArbor.com Staff

OKEMOS — Surrounded by photos of her daughter in her living room, Holly Comstock talked Monday about the three unanswered text messages and the unreturned phone call she made to her 18-year-old daughter, Heather, the day before.

It had been more than three hours since she heard from the University of Michigan freshman, who was heading home to Okemos with friends.

"I called my husband and said, 'It's about 6:30. I don't get it,'" Comstock said. "She always calls me."

Crash_victims.jpg

In this undated family photo provided by the Comstock Family, Heather Comstock, left, and Matt Kolstoe, pose for a photo at this year's prom. Comstock and Kolstoe, both from Okemos, were killed in a car crash north of Ann Arbor Sunday.

AP Photo/Comstock Family via the Lansing State Journal

This time, there would be no call from Heather.

Her daughter, Heather's boyfriend, Matthew Kolstoe, 18, also of Okemos, and Sarina Seger, 18, of Williamston, died about 3:30 p.m. in a two-car crash north of Ann Arbor on U.S. 23 in Livingston County. They were on their way home after attending festivities in Ann Arbor surrounding her school's annual football game against Michigan State University.

Authorities said the Toyota Prius in which they were riding crossed the median and slammed into an oncoming Chevrolet Blazer, killing two adults and injuring three children.

The victims in the SUV were identified as Cynthia Skutt, 62, and Alfred King, 56, of Fremont, Ohio.

Another 18-year-old in the car with the teens was in critical condition, Green Oak Township Police Chief Robert Brookins said.

More coverage

Deputy Okemos Schools Superintendent Patty Trelstad said an emergency staff meeting was held early Monday at Okemos High School. District officials told teachers about the crash and that counselors would be made available to staff and students. Teachers shared the news with the 1,400-member student body.

"Most of the faculty was OK," Trelstad said. "Some students asked, 'Why?' and 'How can this happen?'"

Trelstad said she didn't personally know the students but was told good things about them.

"They were great kids and close friends to one another," she said.

Holly Comstock, wearing a gray pullover with Michigan written across the chest, told The Associated Press that Heather's plan was to return to Okemos on Sunday evening so she could pick up her car and go back to Ann Arbor for Monday classes. She was majoring in molecular biochemistry, stem cell research and organ transplant engineering.

Holly Comstock learned about the fatal crash about 9 p.m. Sunday from a friend of the Comstock and Seger families.

School officials were planning to contact the parents of the students who were killed to talk about ways the school could remember them, Trelstad said.

"Okemos is a fairly close-knit community through the schools," she said.

Brookins said Monday that police don't know the exact cause of the crash.

"We have a whole lot of reconstructing to go through," he said.

Comments

mkw

Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 2:41 p.m.

They have talked about doing it for the last 15 years. It is about time.

Mike

Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.

They have already announced that they will be installing a cable barrier when they redo that stretch in 2011.

breadman

Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.

You know the word "accidents do happen" just do not blame the driver and or the road for an barriers. Several very young lives were taken in the accident. Still some are in the hospital fighting for life. It is a very hugh lose for all the families. God Bless to all! And watch over the young ones that are in the hospital still and forever.

mkw

Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 11:51 a.m.

I agree with A2roots. This issue has been hanging out there for far too long. A barrier of some kind needs to be erected - and should have been erected long before the round-a-bouts were even thought of. Just do it!

a2roots

Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 11:38 a.m.

How many more tragedies and destroyed families will it take for the state to find the money to install cement barriers in the median along this route? These types of accidents have been happening for years along this route. Funds have been in the budget, out of the budget and until such a tragedy occurs the solution to the problem all but forgotten. Please, find the money and get it done.