TYRONE TOWNSHIP, Mich.—The brother of a woman killed by a suspected drunk driver in Tyrone Township Wednesday night says his sister was on a date during the crash.
The crash happened at the intersection Tyrone Avenue and 20 Mile Road.
According to the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, Ana Escutia-Chavez, 25, and Jose Gavina, were driving West on 20 Mile when the driver of a pick-up truck, who deputies say had been drinking, blew through a stop sign and hit them.
Jose Escutia said his sister and Gavina had recently started dating and were heading up north when the crash happened.
“Knowing that the same day…she got out of work at 6, she was getting ready to, ya know, go out with that guy…she was so excited,” Escutia said.
Escutia said he was in bed when a Kent County Sheriff’s deputy knocked on the door and told him his sister was hurt. While Gavina was listed in critical condition, by the time Escutia and his mother arrived to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, they learned Ana wouldn’t be coming home.
“Every time we would get down she would come to us and make us at least smile,” Escutia said. “Now, we ain’t gonna see that again.”
Escutia said Ana, who was born in Miami, moved to Michigan at a young age. While growing up, he said she became the person the family turned to whenever they were in need.
For the past nine years, Ana worked as a receptionist at a chiropractor’s office in Wyoming. Escutia said his sister was well loved by her patients and co-workers.
KDSP isn’t releasing the name of the person who they say caused the crash. However, FOX 17 has learned he is in stable condition.
While investigators continue to work through the details of the case, Escutia said there’s one thing he wants his sister to know.
“I just want to tell you that we love you and we hope to see you soon.”
