MARQUETTE — The name of the individual who perished Friday night in a vehicle fire has been released by the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office.
23-year-old Alex Duquette, a Northern Michigan University student from Negaunee, has been identified as the victim of a crash that was discovered prior to 10 p.m. along County Road 492 near Everly Way in Marquette Township.
It has been said that, according to Undersheriff Daniel Willey of the sheriff’s office, that positive identification is still pending through DNA analysis, as the body did receive extensive injuries in the crash and the fire. Deputies had reported that the vehicle had been fully engulfed by flames when they arrived on the scene.
“Excessive speed is believed to be a factor in the crash and the accident remains under investigation,” Willey said in a press release, while adding that the vehicle had gone off the road and hit several trees before catching fire.
NMU President Brock Tessman communicated in an email to the NMU community about the passing of Duquette.
“I am writing with the sad news of the loss of a Northern Michigan University community member. We have learned that Alex Duquette, 23, a sophomore from Negaunee, died in a car accident,” Tessman wrote. “Alex was an indoor agriculture major. Our hearts are with Alex’s family, friends and those on campus who were close to him and who are now navigating this tremendous loss.”
In honor of Duquette, NMU plans to lower its flags at a later date.
“Do not hesitate to reach out to your fellow students, staff and faculty for support. This is a time to lean on one another in our shared grief,” Tessman said.
— with files from miningjournal.net
