Crash kills 2; man was driving to birth of his child

We’re learning the identities of two people killed in a vehicle crash in Kalamazoo County Saturday.

Undersheriff Paul Matyas tells the Kalamazoo Gazette (http://bit.ly/222PPL1 ) that speed “appears to be a significant factor” in the crash in Comstock Township.

Emil was driving himself and Crystal’s mother, Peggy Nichols, to the hospital for the birth when he lost control of the auto.

Three hours after Crystal Matrau-Belt gave birth to her son Jeremiah by Cesarean section, she learned that her mother and her son’s father were killed when they crashed into a tree about 4 p.m. Saturday, according to reports.

“Losing two of the most important people in my life at the same time as bringing a child into the world, it’s like happy and the most heartbreaking thing”, Matrau-Belt said in an interview at Bronson Methodist Hospital Monday.

Ms Matrau-Belt described how excited her mother Penny was to finally meet her first biological grandchild, recalling how she’d “never seen her so happy”.

Matrau-Belt’s stepmother stayed with her during the c-section and other family members came to visit her in recovery.

“I just all of a sudden had a sinking feeling something was wrong”, Matrau-Belt of Kalamazoo, Michigan told MLive.

“All I can remember is just trying to think that what they were saying was like, you know, they were just kidding, lying”.

“It’s hard, but just to know that I have a piece of Emil – that helps a little bit”, Matrau-Belt said. “I just didn’t know that it was my fiancé and my mom”. “My stepmom was in the [delivery] room with me and … she was completely there for me”. “I know that once I leave the hospital, that’s when things will start to become real, and having to deal with everyday life is when it’s really going to hit me”.

The next day, Matrau-Belt reportedly blacked out while she was still in labor.

Matrau-Belt and her baby were due to be released from the hospital at some point on Tuesday.

There is a GoFundMe Account set up to help raise money for Matrau-Belt and her son.

Tragically, when she leaves hospital Matrau-Belt will spend the next two days attending the funerals.