Car Crash Victims Identified

Authorities released the identities Friday of the two victims of a fatal car accident at the intersection of US-131 and M-186 in Fife Lake Township Thursday evening.

The two teenagers killed in the crash were 17-year-old Haley Elizabeth Stevens of Kingsley and 17-year-old Aubrey Elizabeth Fisher of Fife Lake. The girls, who were the sole occupants of a passenger vehicle, attempted to cross the intersection westbound from State Street onto M-186 when they were struck by a southbound semi-truck pulling an empty gravel trailer. The truck was driven by a 54-year-old Whittemore man. He was not injured in the crash. The victims were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. According to the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office, alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Kingsley Area Schools posted a message about the tragedy Friday on social media. "As many in the community are aware, a current and a former Kingsley High School student lost their lives in a fatal car accident yesterday evening," the message stated. "Please keep these students, their friends, and family in your thoughts and prayers. Counselors will be available from 10am-2pm on Saturday in the KHS library to assist students and for them to comfort each other during this difficult time."