3 die, 2 hurt in single-car I-94 crash

MARSHALL TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Three people died and two more were hurt when an SUV went off I-94 just west of the Verona Road overpass in Marshall Township, hit a tree on G Drive North and ended parallel to the highway.

The single-vehicle accident happened around 3:30 p.m. Monday. The engine of the SUV was thrown several feet from the rest of the vehicle because of the force of the impact with the tree.

The occupants who died at the scene were the driver, 55-year-old William Gatesy; his 53-year-old wife Dawn Gatesy; and William's 28-year-old son William Gatesy III. They were from Allen Park.

Eva Petterle, 81, from Allen Park and Shaun Crawford, 27, from Detroit survived the crash and are being treated at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo for non-life-threatening injuries.

Weather was not a factor in the crash. Speed and alcohol are not considered factors at this time, though the investigation is still in its early stages. It is not known at this time if the victims wore their seat belts.

Authorities interviewed witnesses, and the Ford Explorer did not make contact with any other vehicle on the road.

The crash remains under investigation.

Eastbound I-94 was shut down for about an hour as emergency personnel cleared the scene.

The Marshall Township Fire Department, Marshall Ambulance, West Michigan Air Care and Michigan State Police responded along with members of the Sheriff's Office.