By ANTONIO

ANDERSON

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the individual who died in a Friday night vehicle fire.

Police have identified 23-year-old Alex Duquette, a Northern Michigan University student from Negaunee, as the victim of a crash that was discovered just before 10 p.m. along County Road 492 near Everly Way in Marquette Township.

Undersheriff Daniel Willey of the sheriff’s office said that positive identification is still pending through DNA analysis, as the body received extensive injuries in the crash and the fire, which the deputies say fully engulfed the vehicle 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 sent 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.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.