OVERISEL TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Mar. 13, 2022) – An 18-year-old Zeeland East High student has been identified as having lost his life in a single-vehicle crash southeast of Holland on Saturday evening.
According to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department, deputies and other first responders were dispatched around 5:40 PM to the area near 40th Street and 147th Avenue. It was there where a northbound pickup truck lost control on an icy roadway, left the roadway and struck a nearby tree. Gavin John Broekhuis was declared dead at the scene.
Before the Sheriff’s Department disclosed the name of the motorist, Zeeland Public Schools issued an email: “ZPS mourns the loss of ZPS student Gavin Broekhuis, a senior at Zeeland East High School. Gavin passed away as a result of a car accident on March 12. Gavin is survived by his parents, Tim and Gina, and sister Mya Broekhuis. Counselors, social workers, and school psychologists will be available throughout the week to assist staff and students.
“After such a loss, students may experience a variety of emotions and reactions. Younger children may be fearful to leave family members, or struggle to learn for a period of time. In addition, such a tragedy can trigger an emotional reaction, even to an unrelated current or past event (family illness, prior losses, etc.). These feelings may result in a variety of behaviors, including sleep disturbance, crying, loss of appetite, headaches or stomach aches, bad dreams, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and irritable behavior. Although these are normal reactions to grief, please feel free to contact one of our counseling staff members if you have questions or concerns.
“ZPS extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gavin Broekhuis.”
The incident remains under investigation.
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