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GRANT TOWNSHIP — Two Oceana County residents were killed Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 27, in a nearly head-on crash on South Oceana Drive, south of West Webster Road.
The victims have been identified as Austin Martinez, 21, of New Era, and Graciela Esqueda, 64, of Shelby, according to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office.
Martinez, a graduate of Hart High School, was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. Esqueda was driving a 2021 Hyundai Tucson.
Mason-Oceana 911 received a report of the two-vehicle crash at approximately 2:15 p.m. A caller reported that each vehicle had one occupant and both drivers were injured.
According to the sheriff’s office, the vehicles were traveling in opposite directions when they collided nearly head-on. Both drivers died at the scene.
Emergency responders found both drivers pinned inside their vehicles. Grant Township Fire & Rescue personnel used the Jaws of Life to extricate them.
An AeroMed medical helicopter was requested and landed at the scene, where its crew assisted Life EMS paramedics.
South Oceana Drive remained closed until 6:22 p.m.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Crash reconstruction specialists responded to the scene and will conduct further investigation.
Assisting at the scene were the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Rothbury Police Department, Grant Township Fire & Rescue, Michigan State Police, Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services, AeroMed of Corewell Health and Life EMS.
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