3 charged in pickup-bus crash, killing 3 teens

Tue, May 6, 2008

CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP (AP) — Macomb County authorities have charged a 17-year-old they say drove a speeding pickup truck that hit a school bus, killing his three passengers.

James LaCoursiere was the only survivor aboard the pickup that crashed April 8 in Chesterfield Township, 25 miles northeast of Detroit. The bus had no children aboard.

Prosecutors issued vehicular manslaughter charges Monday against LaCoursiere and another driver, 22-year-old Stephen Davis. The charge carries up to 15 years' imprisonment.

A third driver was charged with reckless driving.

The crash killed 17-year-old L'Anse Creuse North High School students Jordan Vandeputte, Robert McGuire and Nicholas Noble.