Union High School marshaled an immediate response prom night on Saturday that included counselors to console distraught friends.

 

In the age of social media, tweets and text travel faster than traffic, so more than 200 guests arriving at Southwestern Michigan College’s Mathews Conference Center Satuday knew of the 7:16 p.m. crash on Peavine Street near Oak Grove Road in LaGrange Township.

 

“As soon as we heard sirens, we knew something wasn’t right,” first-year DUHS Principal Pieter Hoekstra recalled Tuesday.

 

Junior Shawn Haley, 16,  a regular at the school’s auto shop, was westbound on Peavine when he attempted to pass another vehicle, lost control, overcorrected and overturned the GMC Jimmy SUV.

 

Haley was airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital for treatment.

 

Both Haley, and his date, senor Katelyn Brooks, 17, had to be extricated from the wreckage with the Jaws of Life.

 

Both wore their seatbelts.

 

Brooks was transported to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital by Pride Care, then transferred to Memorial Hospital, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. She was released Monday and sent home to recuperate.

 

There is a plan to send homework home so she should be able to graduate with the Class of 2013 June 2, the principal said.

 

Haley remains hospitalized.

 

“We respect their privacy, but have been in contact with his family,” Hoekstra said.