Austin Kopac Obituary, Death – 19-Year-Old Millington Driver Killed in Ellington Township Crash

ELLINGTON TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN — The Millington community is mourning the death of Austin Kopac, a 19-year-old driver who was killed in a devastating three-vehicle collision in Ellington Township early Saturday morning.

Kopac died in the crash on September 5, 2026, on Deckerville Road near Plain Road. A 16-year-old passenger traveling in the same vehicle also died, while several other people suffered serious or life-threatening injuries.

The fatal collision remains under investigation as authorities work to establish the circumstances that led to the crash.

Austin Kopac Dies in Ellington Township Crash

The crash occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. Saturday on Deckerville Road.

According to the preliminary investigation, Kopac was driving a 2018 Dodge Charger westbound when he 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, with the vehicles becoming entangled. 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.

Several People Seriously Injured

The Ellington Township crash left several other people with significant injuries.

Two additional passengers in the Dodge Charger — a 19-year-old man from Clio and an 18-year-old man from Clio — suffered injuries described as life-threatening and were transported to area hospitals.

The 19-year-old driver of the Chevrolet Silverado, from Deford, also suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital.

His passenger, a 19-year-old man from Croswell, was injured but was not reported to have life-threatening injuries.

The 19-year-old woman from Sandusky driving the Chevrolet Equinox also suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported for medical treatment.

Authorities had not publicly released the names of the surviving crash victims or detailed their latest medical conditions.

What Happened to Austin Kopac?

The preliminary investigation indicates that the collision began when the Dodge Charger attempted to pass the Silverado.

The Charger struck the Silverado and then entered the path of the oncoming Equinox, resulting in a violent three-vehicle crash.

However, investigators have not yet released a final determination concerning the factors that caused the crash.

There has been no confirmed conclusion that speed, alcohol or another specific factor caused the collision.

Those details remain part of the ongoing investigation.

Austin Kopac Obituary Details

Millington Community Mourns Austin Kopac

Austin Kopac was only 19 when his life was cut short in the Ellington Township crash.

For his family, friends and members of the Millington community, the circumstances surrounding his death have made the tragedy especially difficult.

A fatal crash involving multiple young people can have a lasting effect on families and communities, particularly when those involved are still at the beginning of their adult lives.

Kopac’s death has also come alongside the death of a 16-year-old passenger, while several others continue to recover from serious injuries.

Investigation Into the Fatal Crash

Michigan State Police troopers from the Caro Post are continuing to investigate the collision.

Investigators are working to reconstruct the crash and determine exactly how the three vehicles collided.

The Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office, Kingston Police Department, Caro Police Department, Caro Fire Department and MMR assisted with the response and investigation.

At the latest update, authorities had not announced charges connected with the crash.

Investigators also had not established whether alcohol, excessive speed or another contributing factor played a role.

Two Lives Lost in the Collision

The Ellington Township crash claimed the lives of two people.

Kopac, the 19-year-old driver of the Dodge Charger, died at the scene. A 16-year-old male passenger from Vassar also suffered fatal injuries.

The tragedy left several other people hospitalized, including individuals whose injuries were initially described as life-threatening.

The investigation will be important in determining the circumstances behind the collision and whether any additional action will follow.

Funeral and Memorial Arrangements for Austin Kopac

Funeral and memorial arrangements for Austin Kopac had not been publicly confirmed in the information available for this report.

Details concerning visitation, funeral services, a celebration of life or burial arrangements may be released by his family at a later time.

Until an official family or funeral-home announcement is available, specific arrangements should not be assumed.

Remembering Austin Kopac

The death of a young person often leaves relatives and friends facing grief that extends far beyond the immediate aftermath of a crash.

For those who knew Austin Kopac, memories of his life will remain connected to the people, places and experiences that mattered to him.

As his family mourns, the community can offer support while allowing loved ones the privacy needed to process the tragedy and make funeral arrangements.

The loss of a 19-year-old in a sudden road collision is a reminder of how quickly a normal journey can turn into a devastating event.

Latest Update on Austin Kopac Death

The latest confirmed information is that 19-year-old Austin Kopac of Millington, Michigan, died following a three-vehicle crash in Ellington Township early Saturday, September 5, 2026.

A 16-year-old passenger in his vehicle also died.

Several other people were seriously injured and transported to hospitals for treatment.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Kopac’s Dodge Charger was attempting to pass a Chevrolet Silverado when the vehicles collided and the Charger subsequently entered the path of an oncoming Chevrolet Equinox.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

Austin Kopac Obituary and Memorial

Austin Kopac’s death has left family, friends and members of the Millington area mourning a life that ended at just 19 years old.

As investigators continue examining the crash, loved ones are left to remember Austin and the moments they shared with him.

Additional information about his life, funeral service and memorial arrangements may be released by the family.

Until then, the focus remains on remembering Austin Kopac, honoring the second person killed in the collision and hoping for the recovery of those who survived the devastating crash.

Disclaimer

This article is based on information available concerning the September 5, 2026 fatal crash in Ellington Township, Michigan. Details of the collision and the identities and medical conditions of surviving victims may be updated as the investigation continues. The cause of the crash has not been finally established, and no specific contributing factor should be treated as confirmed unless released by authorities. Funeral and memorial information concerning Austin Kopac should be confirmed through his family or funeral provider before publication.