KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Editor’s note: This article has been corrected to reflect that Michigan Attorney Ven Johnson is solely representing the family of Aurora Ruckert, who was killed in a Texas Township crash on Sunday. We regret the error.
The family of one of the two girls killed in a Texas Township car crash on Sunday is now being represented by the law firm of Michigan Attorney Ven Johnson.
According to Johnson and senior trial attorney Chris Yates, 16-year-old Aurora Ruckert’s family has retained them as legal representation to understand what exactly happened leading up to the crash that killed their daughter.
No lawsuit has been filed yet.
“Obviously, they are in deep mourning and grief, so we want to be there for them, and we want to understand what it is that happened the best we can,” Johnson said while admitting his firm’s investigation is still in its early stages.
Johnson confirmed that Ruckert’s parents owned the 2008 BMW 335i the girls were in when it veered off West R Avenue and crashed into a tree, killing both Ruckert and 15-year-old Jordyn Bigham.
Bigham’s older sister, 16-year-old Jada Bigham, and Liyra Fuller were left critically injured, along with an additional unidentified 16-year-old.
According to the attorneys, the Ruckert Family was not aware that their daughter had been out so late. The crash happened just before 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning, according to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office.
“This is not something that Mom and Dad knew about and supported,” Johnson said. “Apparently, these young ladies decided, that night, to do some stuff that now everybody wishes, and I’m sure it includes all of them, that they didn’t.”
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office has not yet confirmed who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, and declined to comment on the status of the investigation.
Undersheriff Michelle Greenlee was not able to provide a clear timeline on when updates would become available.
Johnson is urging anyone with information about the girls’ whereabouts that night to come forward.
Mattawan Consolidated Schools Superintendent, Ryan Fleenor, sent a letter to staff and parents Friday – thanking the families, community residents, and local organizations who have provided resources and support professionals to the district.
Fleenor also addressed concerns about rumors being spread on social media.
“Unfortunately, harsh, insensitive, speculative, and factually incorrect posts have circulated within our school community and beyond, adding pain to an already heartbreaking situation,” Fleenor wrote. “Some of these online interactions are adding to students’ distress and affecting the school environment. During this painful time, we are working to make school a place where students can find connection and a sense of normalcy. Hurtful posts can deepen divisions and make it harder for students to feel supported.”
Fleenor added that the district is monitoring the impact this behavior is having on students and staff, and consider additional steps to protect a supportive school environment.
He asked parents to encourage their children to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of the affected families.
GoFundMe’s have been launched for Fuller and the Bigham sisters. Those can be found below:
The family of the fifth passenger in the car has not yet confirmed her identity with News Channel 3.