Jenison grad dies in crash

HEBRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A 2010 graduate of Jenison High School died in a car crash Tuesday evening while on his way home from college orientation, friends told 24 Hour News 8 on Wednesday.

Joshua Stedman, 18, was traveling south on I-75 near Hebron Town Hall Road in Cheboygan County's Hebron Township, police said in a statement.

Witnesses told police Stedman passed them at a high rate of speed, possibly at more than 100 miles per hour.

Stedman's car went off the road and hit some trees around 6:41 p.m., according to a release from Michigan State Police. He was ejected.

Witnesses attempted CPR and rescue personnel took him to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Family and friends said Stedman would have been wearing a seat belt on the upper part of his body because it's an automatic feature of his car. Police said they are investigating the seat belt issue.

The 18-year-old was returning from Northern Michigan University orientation, friends said. Zachary Scholten said he found out Tuesday night.

"I remember just the shock," he told 24 Hour News 8 on Wednesday. "I couldn't hardly breathe for an hour -- just hyperventilating."

Scholten said he wants people to remember Stedman as the "happy, amazing person that he was." He was "always there for us all the time -- whenever we needed him."

Although the crash remains under investigation, Scholten and another friend, Ethan Brunink, said reports of the possible speed in Stedman's crash have had an effect.

"I personally drive a lot slower now," Brunink said.

"It's definitely going to help a lot of his close friends realize life is fragile. They're not superman," Scholten said.

The friends planned a memorial Wednesday night. Funeral arrangements have not yet been set, according to Scholten, who said he has spoken with Stedman's family.