Deputies identify two people killed in crash on May 23

VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. -- The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office has released the names of the two people killed in a fiery crash on M40 that happened Wednesday morning.

Deputies were called to M40 and 46th Avenue in Waverly Township around 11:22 a.m.

The investigation revealed 87-year-old Earl Tappenden was driving south on M40 when a vehicle traveling on 46th Avenue failed to stop at a stop sign, entered the intersection and collided with Tappenden's vehicle, deputies said.

Tappenden's vehicle left the roadway, struck a utility pole and caught fire.

Tappenden and his passenger, 41-year-old Abe Schwartz, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The 30-year-old woman and her 3-year-old son were taken to Bronson Memorial Hospital.

Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation.