Prosecutors To Determine Possible Charges In Sled Crash That Killed Teen
MANLIUS TOWNSHIP (WWJ/AP) - Authorities say prosecutors will be asked to determine whether charges should be brought after a teenager died after a sled pulled by an SUV crashed into a tree in western Michigan.
The victim has been identified as 15-year-old Mason Dykstra, who was a freshman at Hamilton High School.
The Allegan County sheriff's department said Dykstra was sledding with his family when the accident happened Saturday in his family's yard in Manilus Township near Hamilton, about 45 miles southwest of Grand Rapids.
Sheriff's officials said Dykstra was on a sled being pulled by an SUV, driven by a 19-year-old man, when the accident happened.
The sheriff's department says the boy was conscious after the crash and complained of some pain. He was treated by EMS and transported via helicopter to a Grand Rapids hospital.
During the flight his condition worsened and he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The Hamilton school district opened the high school Sunday for anyone to gather and talk about Dykstra. A brother graduated last spring from Hamilton High, and another brother is a current student. Their mother works for the school district.
The school posted on Twitter: "Our world was rocked and our hearts are heavy."
"He was a good kid, just a good kid all the way around," Hamilton High School Principal Tim Reeves told WZZM-TV. "Mason was a kid that a lot of people loved to be around, and was definitely an enthusiastic student in our building..."
Another tweet from the school urged students to wear their #htownstrong /Hawkeye apparel to honor Dykstra on Monday.
With love and support for the Dykstra family, please wear your #htownstrong / Hawkeye apparel tomorrow ????
— HHSOffice (@hhs_hamilton) January 3, 2016
The Sheriff's department said Monday the death was still under investigation.
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