Authorities: Meth in system of van driver in train collision

Authorities say the driver of a minivan who died along with his two passengers when they were struck by a passenger train in western Michigan last year had methamphetamine in his system.

A Michigan State Police report obtained by the Kalamazoo Gazette under the Freedom of Information Act says blood from 21-year-old Joshua Cartwright tested positive for meth.

Kalamazoo County Medical Examiner Joyce DeJong says Cartwright was “acutely intoxicated with methamphetamine and amphetamine at the time of his death.”

Police say 20-year-old Ashley Melson and 19-year-old Justin Mastin also died. Witnesses say the van drove around other vehicles stopped outside crossing gates in Oshtemo Township on Nov. 18 when it was hit by an Amtrak train traveling about 80 miles per hour.

The three who died were from Kalamazoo.  (AP)

Check Also

County employee announces candidacy for probate court judge

A longtime county employee has announced his candidacy for St. Joseph County Probate Court judge. …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *