Teens Killed After Being Struck By Van In Brownstown Twp.
BROWNSTOWN TWP. (WWJ) - Authorities say two teenage girls sitting in the road in Brownstown Township were killed after being struck by a van.
Deputy Police Chief Robert Matthews said officers found the girls' bodies around 9:30 p.m. Monday along West Road, between Sylvan and Inkster, after receiving 911 calls.
The victims are 13-year-old Tatyana Sawka of Brownstown and 15-year-old Brianne Myers of Woodhaven.
"Speaking with the driver of the van, he stated that he was driving and then two dark objected just appeared in front of him, he struck them and pulled over," said Matthews.
The 75-year-old driver who hit the girls stayed at the scene until police arrived. Matthews said the man was very distraught. He also said multiple witnesses might have shed some light on what the girls were doing before their death.
"After the crash, we had witnesses pulling in and they said just prior to the crash they observed the young girls lying in the road there and kneeling and sitting in it... One of the witnesses had slowed down and stopped and told them to get out of the roadway. They got up and moved but they must have come back," said Matthews.
It is unclear whether the incident is the result of horse play, a suicide pact or simply was an accident.
Police do not believe speed or alcohol were factors. An investigation is ongoing.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have any information to contact them at 734-675-1300.
