Car hits tree; 2 die, 1 hurt

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) - Two people died and another was critically injured after the vehicle they were traveling in crashed into a tree in Calhoun County.

Brothers Alonzo Hampton and Jessie Jackson died in the crash, their sister told 24 Hour News 8. Hampton was 29, Jackson was 23.

"Two babies gone. Two of my babies gone," Janna Hampton said. "I have two sons passed and I'm just so hurt."

Even though the brothers were grown, they will always be babies in their mother's eyes.

Around 1:45 a.m. Thursday, emergency responders went to the scene on Upton Avenue near Caroline Street in Battle Creek.

One man was pronounced dead at the scene. The other died before being put into the ambulance.

A medical helicopter transported the other victim, identified by the Battle Creek Enquirer as 39-year-old Bobbie Bombard, to a Kalamazoo hospital. 24 Hour News 8 Friday morning talked to hospital staff who said Bombard has since been upgraded to fair condition.

Bombard is described as a longtime friend of the brothers.

Family members are calling the wreck a freak accident. Police officials did not know why the brothers and their friend were out driving at that time of the day. There is no information if alcohol was a factor, though speed was, police believe. It's also unclear if anyone was wearing seat belts.

"We heard a screeching noise and a bump, a pow," said Steven Conway Franklin, a friend of the victims' family who witnessed the crash. "The car's like this and it's wrapped, wrapped around the tree. Windows out, terrible situation."

"It makes me think a lot, you know. Tomorrow ain't promised to nobody," said Dalone Terry, a friend of the victims for more than a decade. "It's hard to bury one person, but then you [have] to bury two at a time."

Family members said the brothers did not have insurance. If anyone wants to help, they should contact the Unity Missionary Baptist Church, 470 S. Washington Ave. in Battle Creek -- 269.968.2954.