IONIA, Mich . — Michigan State Police believe alcohol was a factor in the crash that killed 17-year-old Kelsey Megliola Sunday morning.
Around 2 a.m., Megliola was walking down Jessup Road in North Plains Township when she was hit and killed by a 19-year-old driving while drunk, police said.
A neighbor in the rural area said a party took place late Saturday night in the woods. Empty beer cans still litter the grass.
Stephanie Hurst with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) can’t speak about this specific case. However, she said drunk driving involving those underage does factor in drunk driving statistics, especially in rural areas.
Hurst said teens often feel that the police presence isn’t as strong in North Plains Township, and they may believe that they’re less likely to get caught. While MADD has programs to address the issue, Hurst said prevention starts in the home.
“No matter what their age is whether they’re under 21,” she said. “They shouldn’t be drinking at all.”
Investigators are still putting the pieces together in this case but said the suspect in this crash is from Grand Ledge. She was arrested by state police. Megliola is from Mason, Mich., near Lansing.
The Ionia County jail administrator said the suspect posted bond. Her arraignment is scheduled for July 30.
Megliola’s friends said the past 24 hours have been surreal, and they have been sharing condolences over social media.
