Social media has since filled with tributes and condolences, as classmates, neighbors, and loved ones share memories and words of support. “He had such a big heart,” one family friend wrote. “This community won’t be the same without him.”

Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or noticed unusual activity in the area before the collision to come forward. Even the smallest details, they say, could help reconstruct the exact events that led to the deadly impact.

As the investigation continues, Petoskey mourns deeply for a young life lost far too soon. The crash serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that can arise in a split second on the road — a tragic moment that forever changed one family, one neighborhood, and one community united in grief.