The Millington-area community is mourning the sudden death of 19-year-old Austin Kopac, who was killed in a devastating three-vehicle collision early Saturday morning, September 5, 2026, in Ellington Township, Michigan. His death has left family members, friends, and others in the community grieving a young life lost in a violent crash.

The fatal collision happened at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Deckerville Road near Plain Road, according to preliminary information from investigators. Kopac, a Millington resident, was reportedly driving a 2018 Dodge Charger westbound when the vehicle attempted to pass a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado traveling in the same direction. During the maneuver, the Charger collided with the Silverado before continuing into the path of a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox traveling in the opposite direction.

The impact involved all three vehicles, which became entangled in the crash. Investigators reported that the Dodge Charger subsequently caught fire. Kopac suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 16-year-old male passenger from Vassar who was traveling in the Charger also died in the collision, making the crash a particularly heartbreaking tragedy involving two young people.

Several other people were seriously injured. Two additional passengers in Kopac’s Dodge Charger, a 19-year-old man from Clio and an 18-year-old man from Clio, reportedly suffered life-threatening injuries and were transported to area hospitals. The 19-year-old driver of the Chevrolet Silverado, from Deford, also suffered life-threatening injuries, while his 19-year-old passenger from Croswell sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The 19-year-old woman driving the Chevrolet Equinox, from Sandusky, was also seriously injured and transported for medical treatment.

The Michigan State Police Caro Post is leading the investigation into the deadly collision. Other agencies assisting include the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office, Kingston Police Department, Caro Police Department, Caro Fire Department, and MMR.

At this stage, authorities have not announced a final determination regarding what caused the crash. Investigators are working to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine whether any additional factors contributed to the collision. Reports have noted that officials had not established whether speed, alcohol, or another factor played a role. No such factor should therefore be treated as confirmed while the investigation remains active.

For the Millington community, Kopac’s death represents the loss of a 19-year-old whose future was abruptly cut short. Family members and friends are now left to cope with the shock of losing him while also following developments in the investigation.

The crash has also affected the wider community because several young people were involved, with one teenager losing his life alongside Kopac and multiple others requiring hospital treatment.

Funeral and memorial arrangements for Austin Kopac had not been publicly confirmed in the available information. Those details may be released by his family or funeral provider as arrangements are finalized.

As investigators continue examining the circumstances of the Ellington Township collision, those who knew Kopac are left to remember his life beyond the circumstances of the crash. His death at only 19 years old has brought profound grief to the Millington area and to everyone affected by the tragedy.