Church remembers victim in I-96 crash

WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) -- As investigators continue to look into the deadly accident on I-96 Saturday morning, members of a Wyoming church are remembering a man who could be defined by his faith.

Andres Martinez, 26, died after the SUV he was riding in rolled over twice .

A 2001 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Erica Slagter, a 17-year-old from West Olive, lost control and side-swiped the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Juan Hilton, of Grand Rapids, Michigan State Police told 24 Hour News 8.

Martinez was in the back seat of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The other passengers were taken to local hospitals.

Nereida Martinez attended church with Andres Martinez at the Wyoming Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church in Grand Rapids. He was studying to be a pastor and was just one semester shy of finishing his studies, she said.

"He was strong in his beliefs," Nereida Martinez said. "We all knew what his beliefs were. There was no doubt."

Andres Martinez was on his way to Lansing to fill in for a pastor at a church there, Nereida Martinez told 24 Hour News 8.

Wyoming Spanish SDA Pastor Robert Amaya said church leaders learned of his death during morning services Saturday.

"In this critical moment, we have just one option: pray," he said. "Pray for his family, and for our friends."

The area where the crash happened was plagued with slide-offs Saturday morning due to icy roads. The department will continue its investigation into the crash, according to MSP.