Tara Oskam and David Torrez, 16, killed, Alejandro Torrez, 16, charged in crash following police chase at 52nd Street SE and Broadmoor Avenue SE in Kentwood, Michigan

Modified Date: 
Tue, 12/05/2017 - 10:02am
Accident Date: 
Saturday, March 11, 2017

Michigan State Police chase leaves two 2 dead in Kentwood

The suspect vehicle, traveling east on 52nd Street SE, crashed into a north bound vehicle, killing the driver. Grand Rapids resident Tara Oskam was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger of the suspect vehicle was also pronounced dead at the scene. 

Family: Deadly crash heard in victim’s last call

Oskam’s uncle said that she had been returning to Calvin College from playing euchre when the crash occurred. She had been on the phone when she screamed, and then an explosion was heard.

'I called her name ... over and over': Roommate recalls fatal crash on phone

"I called her name, over and over and over again with nothing, and I heard sirens and I heard a man's voice and I knew something was wrong."

Deadly police chase crash suspect was driving mom’s car

Michigan Secretary of State records show that Torrez has never had a driver’s license, but he had been caught driving three times previously.

Michigan police: Chase that ended with 2 dead was justified

Lt. Chris McIntire says he reviewed in-car video and talked with the trooper following the chase, which began Saturday night with an attempted traffic stop of a car going 90 mph in Kentwood, near Grand Rapids. McIntire says he believes the pursuit was justified.

Fleeing driver in crash that killed 2 had no license, records show

He was cited three times last year - in March, April and May - for driving without a license, Secretary of State records showed.

TRAGEDY: Boyfriend discovers scene of girlfriend’s deadly crash minutes after it happened

Oskam’s boyfriend, Chad Beisel, said Oskam was driving back from a euchre tournament at her church in Cutlerville at the time of the crash. He was following a few minutes behind her. He had spoken to Oskam on the phone only a few minutes before he came upon the fiery crash.

'Devastated' family remembers student killed by suspect fleeing police

About 250 people filled the pews at Byron Center First Christian Reformed Church to lay Oskam to rest after her life was taken tragically in a car crash on March 11. Oskam's casket was surrounded by flowers and photographs from family and friends.

Teen's car in police chase exceeded 100 mph at impact of deadly crash

Kent County prosecutors filed the second-degree murder charges on Wednesday. The complaint alleges that Torrez acted with intent to kill, do great bodily harm or in wanton and willful disregard of the likelihood that his acts would cause death or great bodily harm.

Dashcam shows MSP chase that ended in deadly crash

The chase took place over about six miles and lasted about five minutes. The suspect car was quite a distance in front of the trooper when the deadly crash happened. 

Trial begins for teen who fled police, caused double-fatal crash

Stapley was the first witness to testify in the trial for Alejandro Torrez, who is accused of causing the crash that killed Oskam and Torrez' 15-year-old cousin, David Torrez.    

Type: Car Accident
People Involved: 
Tara Oskam
David Torrez
Alejandro Torrez

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