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Family, Friends Mourn Loss Of 4 Teens

Driver Accused Of Causing Crash Arraigned From Inside Hospital

POSTED: Monday, March 16, 2009
UPDATED: 2:32 pm EDT March 18, 2009

The family and friends of four teens who were killed in an alleged drunken driving crash Monday night are mourning them and standing up against drunk driving.

Hundreds of Lake Shore High School students and the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving held a Students Against Drunk Driving rally at Macomb Mall Tuesday afternoon to honor the lives of three of their classmates and another who were killed.

The four teenagers, Erica Haudek, 15, Jordan Michalak, 16, Stephanie Currie, 16, students at Lake Shore High School, and Devon Spurlock, 19, were waiting at a red light on Gratiot Avenue near Masonic Boulevard when a drunken driver lost control of her vehicle and hit them, police said.

An 11th-grade student was fighting a mix of sorrow and anger when she told Local 4 it was not fair what happened to the teens.

"I am very upset that they did not get to say goodbye -- I wanted to say goodbye," said Ashly Lowry at the rally. "Because a lady got drunk and was irresponsible and hit them … It was not their fault."

Frances Patricia Dingle, 47, was charged with four counts of second-degree murder in the teens' death.

The Macomb County Prosecutors said Dingle's blood-alcohol level was .20 percent, two-and-a half times the legal limit, when her full-size Ford van barreled into the car full of teens.

She remains in custody at a Macomb County jail on $500,000 bond. Dingle has battled addiction for many years and told the court she had been sober for four years, but had a relapse two days ago.

Take A Deeper Look At The Troubled Past Of The Woman Accused Of Killing The Teens

Witnesses said Dingle was driving between 60 and 80 mph south of Gratiot Avenue when her vehicle went airborne, flipping over three times and taking out a light pole before hitting the teenagers' car.

"I noticed the van weaving in and out of traffic, and the next thing I know she slams into the car waiting at the red light," said Jeff Robinson, a witness to the crash.

In a panic, Robinson ran to the car to help, but said there was little he could do.

Three of the teens died at the scene. Spurlock, who was the driver of the red Chevy Cobalt, was taken to Mount Clemens General Hospital in critical condition. He died Tuesday at 5 a.m. "It’s safe to say that everyone is heart broken, we lost a lot of good people," said student Alex Monday.

Dingle was taken St. John Macomb Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

"Always the drunk comes out fine with no scratches and the kids die," Lake Shore High student Breanne Mikus.

Dozens of grieving students left school early Tuesday upon hearing the news of the teens' death.

"Everyone is crying because everyone knew them," said the friend Mark Lavis. "They were such good people."

Grief counselors were at Lake Shore High School to help the students cope with the loss of their classmates.

"It's really hard to get them off my mind. I don't know how long I am going to be like this for," said friend Ryan Camargo.

Spurlock was student at an alternative school. He lived with his girlfriend, Haudek's family, after he had a troubled family life. His MySpace page shows him rubbing noses with Haudek.

In a sad twist, family and police said Spurlock's own mother was killed by a drunken driver when he was just 6 years old.

"They were just innocent kids," said Haudek's mother Christina Haudek.

"She was just going up to have pizza, and now she is never coming home," said the sobbing mother.

A mother at the school held back tears as she coped with the realization of how precious life is.

"Anytime you put you teenager behind the wheel, you have to make sure you know that could be the last time you see them," said parent JoAnn Mennino.

"These young people were not doing anything wrong, They were just being kids. They were just doing all the right things and now they are gone tragically," said Richard Rondeau, executive director of MADD of Southeast Michigan at the rally.

On a day where many people were celebrating St. Patrick's Day and choosing to drink and drive, the protestors rallied to save lives and honor the lives lost.

"Our research shows one-third of the people driving on the road right now are drunk. They are impaired," said Richard Tuesday at the rally.

Richard said with all the options that are available to people nowadays, there is no reason they should be getting behind the wheel.

He said get rid of the ego, and know that you cannot drive when you have been drinking.

"Don't think you are going to be the only one to get through this life without a mishap," said Richard as he became emotional.

"My wonderful, wonderful niece," said Currie's aunt Victoria Noriega. "She always smiled and always made jokes."

A candlelight vigil was held at the school Tuesday night.

During the vigil, the crowd managed to share a few laughs through the pain. Just before nightfall, with candles in hand, the group walked in memory of their friends who are no longer here.

“Cherish everyday you never know what’s going to happen next. Grab your close ones and hold them close and always remember to say 'I love you,'” said Monday.

A fundraiser for the victims will be held at Texas Roadhouse in Roseville Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Texas Roadhouse Manager Chris Monroe said he wanted to have the fundraiser there because many of his cooks are on the Lake Shore High School football team and many of the hostesses are students there as well.

"Many of the employees… get to see their friends and help them feel better at the same time," said Monroe.

The restaurant will donate ten percent of its food sales, and the wait staff will donate their tips.

"It's a very somber situation to try to do, but we try to do what we can to make it better," said Monroe.

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith and the Roseville Police Department have said they plan on coming to the fundraiser and making personal donations.

All the proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to the families of the victims.

Reservations are needed; call 586-294 –0838 to reserve a table.

Additional fundraisers for the teens will be held at Hair Buzz at 37291 Groesbeck Highway, Fantastic Sam's at 23008 Gratiot Avenue.

Also, Lake Shore High School is collecting money for the teens' families. To make a donation, send a check to: Lake Shore Public Schools Memorial Fund
28850 Harper
Saint Clair Shores, MI., 48081

Currie's family has set up a separate fund at Huntington Bank. To donate, go to any Huntington Bank and make a deposit for Stephanie Currie.

The teens' funerals will be at the Kaul Funeral Home. The family is still working out final details.

Funeral Arrangements Made For Teens

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Students Rally Against Drunken Driving

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