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Oceana County Sheriff’s Office photo
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A 23-year-old Norton Shores man died in a fiery single-vehicle crash on northbound US 31 near Hayes Road Thursday morning, Sept. 24, according to Oceana County Undersheriff Ryan Schiller.
The man was declared dead at the scene of the 9:19 a.m. crash.
“A 2015 Chevy Silverado pickup truck driven by a 23-year-old male from Norton Shores was northbound on US 31 when he left the roadway into the median and struck the Hayes Road concrete abutment pillar head-on,” said Undersheriff Schiller.
“The vehicle was severely damaged, and a vehicle fire immediately ensued, consuming the single occupant inside the vehicle.”
“Alcohol is not believed to be a factor, but unknown at this time.”
Northbound US 31 in the vicinity of the crash from M 20 to Shelby Road was closed for several hours. Michigan Department of Transportation engineers were on scene evaluating the condition of the Hayes Road overpass.
The man’s name is presently being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Firefighters from Shelby-Benona, Grant Township and Ferry Township responded to the scene. The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Life EMS and Oceana County Victim Services also responded.
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