Tragedy on I-96: Teen Killed, Two Others Injured in Early Morning Rollover Crash
INGHAM COUNTY, MI — In the quiet early hours of Monday morning, a devastating crash on Interstate 96 turned a routine commute into a scene of unspeakable tragedy. A 17-year-old male, whose name has not yet been released pending family notification, was killed instantly when the vehicle he was riding in lost control, flipped multiple times, and ejected two passengers onto the roadside.
The crash occurred around 7:20 a.m., just east of Williamston, on a stretch of I-96 that was otherwise clear and dry. According to the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, the sedan, carrying four young men between the ages of 17 and 22, suddenly veered off the road, rolled several times, and came to rest in the median. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.
Of the four occupants, the youngest — a high school student — died at the scene, his life cut short in an instant. A 20-year-old male was also ejected from the vehicle and remains in critical condition at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, where doctors are fighting to save his life. The 22-year-old driver, though seriously injured, was alert and conscious when first responders arrived. A fourth passenger, incredibly, walked away unharmed, though deeply shaken.
The sudden and violent nature of the crash has left authorities and loved ones reeling.
“There were no signs of alcohol or drug use,” said Deputy Kevin Stalzer, the lead investigator on the case. “We’re not ruling anything out, but right now, we just don’t know why the vehicle left the roadway. There’s no obvious mechanical failure. No distractions confirmed. It’s one of those tragic cases where, in a matter of seconds, everything went wrong.”
Emergency crews shut down I-96 for several hours, working meticulously to document the scene and clear the wreckage. Tire marks on the shoulder, debris scattered across the median, and a crumpled frame of the once-intact car told a grim story of how fast lives can change.
Investigators are now appealing to the public for help. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage from that time is urged to contact Deputy Stalzer at (517) 676-8444, extension 1939.
For the family of the teen who died, the worst is still to come. As of this writing, his identity has not been released, as authorities are working to notify next of kin — a task no officer ever wants to undertake.
“This was someone’s son, maybe someone’s brother or best friend,” one first responder said quietly at the scene. “And in just a blink, he’s gone.”
Classmates, neighbors, and friends are already beginning to process the loss — a ripple of heartbreak that will likely be felt in school hallways, on sports fields, and around dinner tables for weeks and months to come. Counselors are expected to be made available at the teen’s school once his identity is confirmed.
This crash, devastating as it is, raises familiar questions that often follow such tragedies: How did this happen? Could it have been prevented? Could a seatbelt have made the difference? Were they rushing, tired, distracted?
Right now, there are more questions than answers. What’s certain is that one life has been lost far too soon. Another hangs in the balance. And several more have been changed forever.
As the investigation continues, the community holds its breath — hoping for healing, praying for the injured, and mourning the loss of a young life that will never see graduation, summer, or the many milestones still ahead.
If you or someone you know has information that could help investigators, please contact the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office at (517) 676-8444, ext. 1939.
One moment. One road. One irreversible tragedy.
And a family still waiting for the knock on the door.
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