COMSTOCK (WKZO AM/FM) — The investigation into a crash that killed five Kalamazoo teens in September will not result in any criminal charges, but has revealed some additional details.
They have determined that the Dodge Charger driven by 15-year-old Cortavion Murphy was traveling at 114 mph when it went out of control on East Main, sheared off a power pole and then struck a large tree with enough force to also shatter the trunk.
The car then burst into flames.
Also killed were 15-year-old Jaqurius Hegler, 16-year-old Elexus Hillsman, 15-year-old MarshawnWilliams and 17-year-old Deztanee Cobb. Alcohol or drugs were not a factor in the crash. But they say the inexperienced driver who was not licensed, and the extremely high speed were factors.
The investigation determined that all of the teens died on impact, and not as a result of the fire.
They are closing the traffic portion of the investigation, but another aspect remains open.
The deep dive into the case revealed the 2012 Dodge Charger the teens were using that night had been stolen from the City of Detroit in May of 2016. They don’t suspect the teens were aware of that fact.
Sheriff’s detectives continue to work with the Detroit Police and other agencies to determine how the stolen car ended up in Kalamazoo
