Community gathers around the family of a 15-year-old who died in a car accident

SARANAC, Michigan – A 15-year-old from Saranac died in a car crash in Keene Township Friday afternoon, according to the Ionia County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said the accident occurred in the 10,000 block of Sayles Road.

According to ICSO, the car was being driven by a 16-year-old girl from Saranac when it left the road and struck a tree.

Officials said there were two people in the car: a 15-year-old from Saranac who died and a 17-year-old who was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries.

Officials did not provide any information about the condition of the 16-year-old driver.

The Saranac Community Association identified the 15-year-old as Jazmin James and announced that it would donate all proceeds from the community's annual pancake breakfast on Saturday morning to her family.

“We took the night and in the morning it was unanimously decided that the money must go to the family,” said Ryan Hesche, president of the Saranac Community Association. “It was the right thing to do.”

Hesche said the township raised more than $4,300 from the pancake breakfast, which is part of the township's annual Bridgefest celebration.

“We're a small town, but Saranac is fair. We just come together when we need help,” Hesche said. “If a family needs help, we make it happen.”

“It’s always hard when we lose someone, but when you lose a student, it hits you even harder,” Hesche added.

The Saranac Community Association will also use all tips from the festival's beer tent to help the other two families affected by the crash cover medical expenses and other needs.

Hesche said those who would like to provide additional financial support to the families can send checks to the Saranac Community Association or donate to a GoFundMe page for James' family.

Checks made out to the Saranac Community Association can be sent to PO Box 201, Saranac, MI 48881.