MTU student killed in vehicle crash

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CHASSELL - One person is dead and the driver is facing criminal charges after a one-vehicle accident in Chassell Township early Sunday.

According to the Houghton County Sheriff's Department, deputies responded to an accident at 2:55 a.m. Sunday that involved five Michigan Technological University students, all of whom were 19 years old.

The vehicle was traveling south on Pike River Road near the Chassell-Painesdale Road in Chassell Township when it left the road, struck a tree and rolled several times.

One occupant, Lee Drelles, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and other passengers were taken to Portage Health where they were treated for their injuries, the department said.

The driver, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody after being released from Portage Health. He was scheduled to be arraigned today in court on unspecified charges.

Drelles was a mechanical engineering student from Ludington, according to MTU's Web site. Authorities believe he was not wearing his seat belt, but that the other four students were. The sheriff's department identified the other students as Jared Bussey, Brett Jenkins and Krista Kasuboski.

Les Cook, Michigan Tech's vice president for student affairs, expressed sympathy for those involved.

"Our hearts go out to everyone involved in this tragedy, the students in the accident, their families and friends, but especially to Lee's family for their terrible heartrending loss," he said.

Officials said the university's counseling services will be working with those affected by the incident. They can be reached at 487-2538.

The accident remains under investigation. The Michigan State Police, Houghton City Police, Chassell First Responders, Hurontown Extrication and Mercy Ambulance responded to the incident.