Two Teen Sisters Among Five High School Students Killed or Injured in Michigan Crash

Two sisters are among five high school students who were killed or critically injured in a car crash into a tree in rural Kalamazoo County, Michigan, early Sunday morning. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Mattawan community.

Jordyn Bigham, 15, and another 16-year-old student were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred just before 3:30 a.m. Sunday, according to officials and a fundraiser established by Jordyn Bigham's family. Her 16-year-old sister, Jadisson “Jada” Bigham, was hospitalized in critical condition. Two other friends, aged 15 and 17, were also hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

Jada Bigham faces a significant recovery, requiring extensive medical treatments, surgeries, and ongoing care, according to the fundraiser. Her mother is described as bearing the immense grief of losing one daughter while her other is hospitalized.

All five students attended Mattawan High School, a school serving approximately 1,100 students in grades 9 through 12. One of the other injured students has been identified as Liyra Fuller.

Investigators are working to determine the circumstances leading up to the crash. Preliminary reports indicate the vehicle was traveling west on West R Avenue when it veered off the roadway and struck a tree. It remains unclear who was driving or the intended destination of the passengers.

A vigil was held Monday night in the Mattawan High School parking lot. A makeshift memorial of flowers and balloons has been placed at the crash site.

Mattawan Consolidated School District Superintendent Randy Fleenor expressed how the community's support has been meaningful. "Just to know that we’re not alone, that we’re all in this together, and means a great deal to the students here and the staff that know these kids," Fleenor stated. He also noted the varying ways students process trauma, with some initially withdrawing and others showing distress later.