Mother and two sons die when their car leaves the road and falls into a stream

LAPEER COUNTY, MI – A mother and her two sons died in a traffic crash after the woman’s vehicle left the road, rolled over and landed in a nearby creek, Lapeer County sheriff’s officials said.

Police identified the woman killed as 32-year-old Jenee Suddeth of Waterford. Her two sons, ages 9 and 12, could not be identified by investigators.

Sheriff’s officials responded to a report at 8:43 p.m. of a crash Saturday, July 13, on Lippincott Road, east of Lake Nepessing Road, in Elba Township of Lapeer County.

A witness initially reported to the police that a vehicle had left the road, overturned and sunk into a stream.

According to police, Suddeth was driving a Buick Enclave east on Lippincott Road when she attempted to pass a vehicle in front of her.

During the overtaking maneuver, Suddeth’s vehicle came off the left side of the road. The vehicle hit a guardrail, overturned and came to rest in a stream, police said. The vehicle, which had tipped over on its roof, was completely submerged in water except for the rear tires.

Suddeth and her two children were found and freed from the vehicle. The mother was pronounced dead at the scene. Both boys were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The 12-year-old boy died shortly after arrival, police said.

The 9-year-old boy died in hospital around 6 a.m. on Sunday.

The accident is still being investigated as of late Sunday morning. Police are trying to determine whether excessive speed and alcohol were involved.

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