The driver killed in a crash in Fort Gratiot Township Wednesday night has been identified. Christopher Fredendall, a 45 year old man from Fort Gratiot crashed his Cadillac CTS into Mama Vicki’s restaurant on 24th Avenue in Fort Gratiot around 9:00 p.m. According to witnesses, Fredendall and a 26 year old woman from Marysville who was driving a Dodge Journey were involved in a road rage incident prior to the crash. The witnesses told detectives from the Sheriff’s Office that the woman had passed Fredendall on the right shoulder of 24th Avenue as both vehicles were heading southbound near Carrigan Road. The road then went from three lanes to five lanes and Fredendall passed the woman on the right, swerved in front of her in the left lane and lost control, crashing into the restaurant. There were customers in Mama Vicki’s, but no injuries were reported from the restaurant. Fredendall was transported by Tri-Hospital EMS to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the crash. The crash remains under investigation. Fort Gratiot Township Fire and Rescue and Michigan State Police also assisted at the scene of the crash. Anyone who witnessed the driving of the two vehicles involved prior to the crash are asked to contact Detective Haley Bonner at (810) 987-1728.
