MSP: 21-year-old man killed in Grand Rapids-area crash

GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A 21-year-old passenger was killed Sunday morning in a crash in Grand Rapids Township, troopers say.

It happened around 5:05 a.m. at Cascade Road SE and E. Beltline Avenue SE, according to the Michigan State Police.

Troopers say a car was heading east on Cascade and ran a red light. The car was hit by a northbound box truck, according to MSP.

The car’s passenger died on scene, troopers say. State police identified him as 21-year-old Jamir Alexander of Grand Rapids.

“My son, he was a good soul, he had a beautiful heart, he had a beautiful beautiful smile, like I miss it every day. I miss him, I miss him everyday. There is a lot that I am going to miss,” Jamir’s dad, James Alexander, told News 8. “Is this a dream? You know, I am still trying to wake myself up from it. It’s really something that I still can’t wrap my head around.”

The driver of the car, described as another 21-year-old Grand Rapids man, and the driver of the box truck were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, according to troopers.

Investigators believe alcohol was involved, but no arrests have been made as of Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for MSP told News 8.

James and his entire family are now left grappling with their loss, wanting more answers and justice for Jamir.

“We still don’t know anything about the accident. Somebody has got to be responsible for my son because the other entities that’s out here are still alive and they are still walking around, and my son is dead. The world stopped for my son Sunday morning,” Alexander said. “I want to know more information about what happened, what is going on, if anybody is going to be charged.”

They also hope this story can shine a light on ending drunk driving.

“I want everyone to know the dangers of not just being on the road but being on the road and being under the influence because that’s something dangerous. A lot of people might think ‘OK I got this I can do this.’ It’s not you, know that’s not the case.”

James told News 8 that Jamir was a musician and was in the process of working on an album with him. He said he originally was too hurt to continue working on it, but now hopes it can be a way to remember him by.

“I am going to keep my son’s legacy alive because he started doing music because of me and my son he was good, he was really good,” Alexander said. “So, I am going to go ahead and continue it and to finish it.”

State police continue to investigate the crash.

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