4 from western Michigan killed while on Haiti mission trip

Catholic diocese: 4 from West Michigan killed in car accident while on mission trip to Haiti

Author:
Published On: Jan 11 2013 08:43:44 PM EST   Updated On: Jan 11 2013 08:44:02 PM EST
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -

The Roman Catholic diocese of Grand Rapids says four West Michigan residents have been killed in a car accident during a mission trip to Haiti.

The diocese says some of those killed were members of the Holy Spirit Parish in Grand Rapids. Parish leaders identified them as Matt Kutsche, Mary LaPonsie, and Jim and Rita Cwengros.

WOOD-TV says the victims were part of a group of around 20 who arrived in Haiti earlier in the day.

MLive.com reports the parish has a relationship with the Haitian Parish of Seguin in the diocese of Jacmel and makes regular trips down there.

In a statement, the Grand Rapids diocese calls it a "horrible tragedy."

  • Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.