MUSKEGON COUNTY, Michigan – An 18-year-old woman died following an accident in Muskegon County on Wednesday.
The family says Lexi had only spent a day at a local urgent care internship, studying to become a medical assistant.
Her mother, Kimberly Hayes Kottman, was at Disney World with her two young children, when on their first day at the park she heard the news.
“We were at Disney World,” Kottman said. “Basically, put our headphones on, in front of a crowd there, and then she’s gone.”
The crash happened at Carr and Apple in Egeleston Township around 12.30pm when police said a Volkswagen and a van collided.
“There were way too many deaths in that area,” Kottman said, already knowing someone who died nearby. “A colleague of mine from the hospital, her husband died. And left her with a baby that wasn’t even born yet.
Officially, at the intersection, the last death was in 2017, according to the Muskegon County Sheriff.
But deaths on Apple Avenue are all too common. A month ago, a pedestrian was hit and killed on Apple.
“It’s just terrible out there,” Kottman explained.
At the specific intersection, Carr and Apple, 43 accidents were reported; 30 total injuries and one death in the past five years.
Lexi’s mom says a flashing yellow light isn’t enough.
“I mean yeah, I’m sure they could put some traffic lights. What slow things down in this area. Make people pay more attention,” Kratton said. “She was bubbly and sweet, and funny, and a bit silly and wild, stubborn.”
The Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office told FOX 17 that the expansion of a mobile home community in the area north of this intersection will only increase traffic in the area in the coming months.
Four other people were injured in Wednesday’s crash, which is still under investigation.
