KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. -- Michigan State Police say the driver involved in a deadly train crash drove around other cars that were stopped at the train crossing signals before being hit.
The van was hit by the Amtrak train on 11th Street near KL Avenue in Oshtemo Twp. at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
All three people inside the van were killed. Police are identifying them as, Joshua Cartwright, 21, Justin Mastin, 19, and Ashley Melson, 20.
Cartwright was the driver. He leaves behind a 4-year-old son. Alyssa Lovely, the mother of his child, said she was also Mastin's cousin.
She referred to Cartwright as her first love.
"Our whole relationship was an adventure," she said. "We didn't have a dull moment."
As for her cousin, she said they were best friends.
"Our moms are twin sisters," She said. "We grew up by each other our whole entire lives."
Lovely said Mastin and Melson were dating. She said she just learned the two had big plans for the future.
"His (Mastin's) mom just got a call from Kay Jewelers...Justin was planning on buying her (Melson) a ring," she said. "They had their whole life planned out."
While Cartwright's risky move came with a deadly consequence, Lovely said she wasn't surprised by her ex-boyfriend's choice.
"They could've waited five minutes and we would've had them here safe today," she said. "But, that's my Josh, always stubborn--always in a hurry."
Andrea Eager, Cartwright's sister, also spoke to FOX 17. She said she was supposed to be with the trio the night of the crash. However, her brother never picked her up.
"I feel like if I would've been with him it would've never happened," Eager said.
None of the people on the train were hurt in the crash.
Lovely said she's not sure yet how she will break the news to her and Cartwright's son. However, she finds comfort in knowing she has a piece of Cartwright with her.
"I couldn't imagine my life without my son and I thank Josh for giving me that kind of joy in my life."
