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Crash Victims Found In Ditch 10 Hours After Accident

Posted at 10:23 PM, Nov 01, 2013
and last updated 2013-11-01 23:41:49-04

GRAND HAVEN, Mich.- Ten hours after crashing a car in Grand Haven Township a couple, victims of the crash, were discovered at the end of a dead end street.

The passenger, 32-year-old Michelle Teffeteller, had been thrown from the car.  The driver, 35-year-old Alonzo Martinez, was pinned inside the car.  Both victims had to be air-lifted from the scene.

It happened on Halloween night, the couple had left Alonzo’s mother home in Holland Township heading towards Grand Haven Township.

“They were taking the kids trick-or-treating,” said Laura Martinez, the mother of the victim.

Laura said both Alonzo and Michelle had known each other for a long time and started dating last year, both had children from previous relationships.

Around ten Thursday night, on Ferris Street, something happened.  Alonzo crashed the car, falling into a ravine.

“I don’t know why other drivers didn’t see them or how far down they were or what happened,” said Laura.

Police said there were no kids in the car, but the couple stayed in the ravine the entire night.

“The accident happened at ten last night and they didn’t get found until 8:00 this (Friday) morning,” she said.

When they were discovered, Laura said both of them had broken ankles that required surgery.  Alonzo also had a fractured pelvis and injured kidneys.

Investigators are still working to figure out what caused the crash.

Alonzo’s mother said her son doesn’t drink but does have other concerns, “He’s been battling mental issues his entire life.”

Now she’s just thankful someone stopped and called police when they did and she’s hopeful her son and his girlfriend will be home soon.