The Norton Shores, Michigan, community is mourning the death of 23-year-old Ethan Vanderber, who died Thursday morning following a serious crash on U.S. 31 in Shelby Township, Oceana County.
According to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Mason-Oceana 911 received a report of a vehicle crash at approximately 9:19 a.m. on September 24, 2026. Emergency crews arriving at the scene found a single 2015 Chevrolet Silverado that had crashed into a concrete support pillar beneath the Hayes Road overpass. The pickup was also on fire.
Ethan Vanderber Dies at Crash Scene
Michigan State Police said Vanderber was traveling northbound on U.S. 31 when his pickup left the roadway to the west, entered the median and struck the concrete pillar head-on.
A witness reportedly told responding troopers that the driver might still be inside the burning vehicle. Emergency responders located the driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities later identified the deceased driver as Ethan Vanderber, 23, of Norton Shores.
The circumstances that caused the Silverado to leave the roadway have not been publicly established. The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the crash.
U.S. 31 Closed During Investigation
Following the collision, northbound U.S. 31 and the Hayes Road overpass were temporarily closed while crews responded and Michigan Department of Transportation engineers assessed whether the crash had damaged the overpass.
The roadway has since reopened, according to authorities.
Vanderber’s sudden death has left family, friends and others who knew him grieving. At 23, his life ended unexpectedly in a crash that remains under investigation.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Ethan Vanderber |
| Age | 23 |
| Residence | Norton Shores, Michigan |
| Date of crash | September 24, 2026 |
| Time reported | Approximately 9:19 a.m. |
| Location | U.S. 31, Shelby Township, Oceana County |
| Vehicle | 2015 Chevrolet Silverado |
| Crash location | Hayes Road overpass support pillar |
| Direction of travel | Northbound |
| Vehicle condition | Caught fire after the crash |
| Death | Pronounced at the scene |
| Investigation | Oceana County Sheriff’s Office |
Accuracy note: Authorities have confirmed the crash, Vanderber’s identity and his death. The reason his vehicle left the roadway has not yet been publicly determined.