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PolkThaieProbe Crash led 6 TeensSAGINAW, Mich. (AP) — The teenager who drove a car in which six companions were killed has told state police what they call a “vague” story of a second car running them off the road.Authorities said they are checking out the story told by Charles W. Marcoux, 17, for lack of any other explanation for the tragic Sunday morning deaths.“He claims another car was coining at him and that might have panicked him.” said Detective Sgt. James Malczewski.Meanwhile, flags flew at half mast at school yards in Buena Vista School District just outside Saginaw, where the victims attended school. Classmates started collections for the families.The six youths drowned in about 8 feet of water in the Cass River after the car left a road one-half mile from the state police post in Bridgeport Township. Investigators said the car ran on the muddy shoulder of the road for 98 feet before plunging over the bank, jKilled were Lorena LaPorte, 13; Rose Ann Zapata, 14; Jessica Rivera, 18, and her sister, Bonita Martinez, 11; David Vargas, r; and David Herrera, 15, described by Malczewski asa runaway from the SaginawCountv Juvenile Center.*Marcoux told state police he dove into the water several times trying to save his companions. He was on the swimming team at Saginaw High School.He had been lent the car by the team coach, C’atana Starks, who also coaches girl’s basketball. She said Marcoux had worked at a garage and she lent him the car so he could make minor repairs.According to police reports, the youngsters left their homes about midnight Saturday to visit friends, but instead went joyriding with Marcoux.“I guess it was the kind of thing where it was no big deal for them to be all out night,” said Malczewski. “From what I understand, they’ve done it before — all of them.”Police said tests showed none of the youths had been drinking or taking drugs.An ecumenical service for five of the victims was scheduled for Wednesday at St. Jo-wseph Roman Catholic Church. A separate service was scheduled for the LaPorte girl.It was the worst accident in Saginaw County since six were killed in a 1971 crash.
Newspaper Details
Ironwood Daily Globe
Ironwood, Michigan, US
Tue, Oct 04, 1977
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 16 Jan 2021
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