Ivan Peña Perez Obituary, Death News – Police have released the identity of the man who died in a two-vehicle crash early Saturday morning in Kalamazoo. The victim has been identified as 23-year-old Ivan Peña Perez, a resident of Kalamazoo.
According to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS), the crash occurred around 2 a.m. at the intersection of Riverview Drive and East Paterson Street. When officers arrived, they found Perez unconscious and trapped inside his vehicle, which had smoke and fire coming from beneath it. Emergency responders managed to pull him from the wreckage, but he was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of his injuries.
The second vehicle involved in the collision was discovered nearby, heavily damaged and abandoned. The driver of that vehicle has not yet been located. KDPS officials have indicated that alcohol is suspected to have been a contributing factor in the crash, though the investigation is still ongoing.
Captain Danielle Guilds, who heads the department’s Criminal Investigations Division, expressed condolences on behalf of KDPS to Perez’s family and friends, acknowledging the profound loss they are experiencing. She also reassured the public that the department is fully committed to uncovering the facts surrounding the incident and bringing accountability.
Investigators are currently gathering evidence, analyzing the crash scene, and seeking witnesses who may have seen or heard anything that could assist in identifying the other driver. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the collision to contact the KDPS Criminal Investigations Division at 269-337-8139.
For those who wish to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, via the “P3Tips” mobile app, or online. Police emphasize that public cooperation is crucial in cases like this, especially when a driver has fled the scene.
This tragic crash has deeply affected the local community, sparking renewed reminders about the dangers of impaired driving and the devastating consequences that can follow. As the investigation continues, KDPS remains determined to locate the second driver and provide Perez’s loved ones with the answers they deserve.
