Teen hits tree, ejected from car, dies

BLENDON TONWSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A 17-year-old Hudsonville High School senior died when he lost control of his car in Blendon Township and hit a tree.

Patrick Michael Wiltse was driving east on Van Buren Street around 11:30 p.m. Thursday when his car went off the road about a mile west of 48th Avenue, the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department said.

The Walker resident was ejected from the car and died at the scene.

Authorities said Wiltse was traveling at a high rate of speed on Van Buren Street, which is a gravel road at that point. It is not known at this time if alcohol was involved in the crash.

Wiltse was studying culinary arts at the Ottawa Careerline Tech Center.

The Hudsonville High School superintendent said grief counselors are at the school to help students deal with his death.