Victims of Jebavy Drive fatal crash identified

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.

HAMLIN TWP. — A mother and her infant daughter died Wednesday night as the result of a two vehicle crash on Jebavy Drive. Amanda Collins, 28, of Ludington, and her 10-month-old baby Lillian Grace Collins, both died at the scene, just north of Fisher Road. Another daughter, 7-year-old Madysen Marie Church, is in critical condition at a DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. The age was initially reported by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office as 5.

The crash occurred about 5:30 p.m. when the 2002 Chrysler car Collins was driving was heading north on Jebavy Drive and apparently crossed the roadway and ended in a snowbank, with its passenger side exposed to the roadway. The car was struck by a 2000 Ford F-350 pickup truck driven by Michael Darke, 33, of Ludington. Darke was traveling south. Lillian was in a carseat at the time of the crash. Madysen was transported to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital by Life EMS ambulance and then flown to Grand Rapids by AeroMed. Darke was not injured.

Many people have commented on the MCP Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MasonCountyPress, about their sadness and shock of the loss of Amanda and Lillian, and the severe injuries of Madysen.

“She was a great mother and an even better friend,” said Jason Austin of Free Soil, who’s wife, Angel, was good friends with Amanda. He said they were traveling to Grand Rapids this morning to offer their support to Amanda’s husband, Josh Collins, and to be near Madysen.

The sheriff’s office continues to investigate the crash and why Amanda’s vehicle crossed the road.

Hamlin Twp. Fire Dept., Ludington Fire Dept. and Pere Marquette Fire Dept. along with Life EMS assisted.