JOYCE — A boy who spent his summers and holidays in Joyce is dead and a father and grandmother are grieving.
Brian Jennings and his mother, Patty McGuire, both of Joyce, flew to Michigan on Sunday after learning that Jennings’ son, Jeffrey Jennings, 10, had died in a car wreck.
The boy stayed in Joyce with his father and grandmother during summers and holiday breaks, and lived with his mother in Michigan during the school year, said Nicole Turner, a friend of the family who is helping with arrangements.
The younger Jennings died Thursday when an SUV driven by a 14-year old friend crashed into a tree, according to Michigan newspaper accounts of the wreck.
Officials from the Muskegon County Sheriff Office in Michigan said Jeffrey died at the scene of the wreck near Ravenna Township, the Muskegon Chronicle newspaper reported.
The crash occurred at about 8:40 p.m. Thursday when the 14-year-old apparently lost control of the SUV on a dirt road, the sheriff said.
The 14-year-old, who has not been identified, suffered serious injuries and is expected to face charges relating to the wreck and Jeffrey’s death, the Muskegon Chronicle reported.
“[McGuire] is devastated,” Turner said.
McGuire said Monday she planned to attend a memorial service for her grandson in Michigan on Tuesday and plans to hold a memorial service in Port Angeles. The Port Angeles service had not been scheduled as of Tuesday.
The boy driving the car was only 14 and had taken his parents’ SUV without permission, she said.
“I want young children today to please respect their parents,” McGuire said.
Turner has started a GoFundMe site to help with family expenses.
It is at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-Jennings.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
