He had just walked across the graduation stage, full of plans for the summer ahead. But a sudden, violent crash would turn the celebration into sorrow — and leave an entire community searching for answers.
Just days after celebrating a major milestone, the Pinconning community is mourning a sudden and devastating loss. Aiden Alexander, 18, had recently graduated from Pinconning High School on May 18.
On Thursday afternoon, as he drove his younger sister home from school, their lives were forever changed. A pickup truck veered across the center line on Mable Street and struck their vehicle head-on. Aiden was killed in the crash.
His 16-year-old sister, Halen, sustained serious injuries. According to family members, she suffered a broken collarbone and internal damage. She remains hospitalized. The family’s dog, Moose, who was also in the car, did not survive.
Authorities say the crash occurred when a 68-year-old man driving a pickup truck crossed into oncoming traffic. He was critically injured and remains under medical care. Investigators are still working to determine what caused the truck to veer out of its lane.
The impact has left the local school district shaken. Superintendent Andy Kowalczyk described Aiden as a kind and respectful student, someone who was well-liked and had many friends. “Ah, it’s tough,” Kowalczyk said, pausing to reflect on the sudden loss. “They were very respectful students; students that you’d like to have in your class.”
Friday brought a somber atmosphere to the halls of Pinconning High School. Grief and disbelief filled the classrooms where Aiden had once walked with his classmates.
Counselors have been made available to support students and staff in processing the tragedy. Kowalczyk emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, especially in such painful times. “We’re thinking of them. You know, the whole school is pulling for them,” he said, referring to Aiden’s grieving family.
Monica Rabie, Aiden’s cousin, echoed the sense of shock that has swept through the family and community. “Everyone is very numb, I would say. Totally shocked,” she said. “Life can change in a split second, and it has.” As of Friday, the family shared that Halen had not yet been told about the death of her brother or their beloved dog.
In the wake of Aiden’s sudden death, the community has come together to support the grieving family. A GoFundMe page has been launched to help cover funeral expenses and support the family as they care for Halen during her recovery.
The message on the fundraising page captures the pain and urgency of the moment. “Aiden was sent to heaven & Halen is in critical care with many surgeries ahead of her,” the message read. “The family is devastated & heartbroken. We hope to raise funds for anything the family might need at this time.”
The page has drawn donations and messages of support as friends, neighbors, and strangers reach out to lift the family in their darkest hour.
Aiden’s funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, at The Snow Funeral Home, located at 3775 N. Center Rd. in Saginaw. According to the obituary, cremation will follow the service in accordance with the family’s wishes.
Visitation hours are scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, from 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m., and again on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Aiden’s cousin, Rabie, remembers him as the kind of teen who could light up a room. “He’s just a super goofy kid, always wanting to be the silly guy,” she said.
Aiden was part of a large, close-knit family. He had a passion for archery and plans to pursue a career in the trades. Rabie said he was recently talking to her husband for guidance on how to get started. “We just talked,” she recalled. “He was asking my husband advice about getting into trades.”
Rabie spoke with heartbreak about the timing of Aiden’s death. “His graduation party will end up being his funeral, which is super sad,” she said. The collision was severe. Emergency responders found all three individuals — Aiden, Halen, and the 68-year-old pickup driver — trapped and unconscious inside their vehicles.
Aiden’s mother first suspected something was wrong when she received an alert from her daughter’s Apple Watch indicating a crash. She began calling immediately but received no answer. The family learned of the accident shortly after.
Reflecting on the loss, Rabie called Aiden a typical teenage boy — driven, lighthearted, and full of potential. “You hate to say it,” she said, “but he was just a typical boy. Just a good kid.” As Halen fights to recover and the family prepares for a funeral that no one expected, the Pinconning community continues to grieve a young life lost too soon.
In the hours following the tragic crash, the Pinconning Area School District moved swiftly to provide support for those affected. The district’s crisis team convened Thursday night, just hours after the incident, to organize mental health services for students, faculty, and staff.
“Ooo, tough,” said Superintendent Kowalczyk. “We had meetings last night where the crisis team got together and kind of started planning already for in the morning.”
By Friday, counselors were on-site at Pinconning High School, ready to assist anyone struggling with the loss. The school emphasized that emotional support would remain available in the days ahead.
The district has encouraged students to reach out if they need help processing the tragedy, underscoring the importance of community and care during this difficult time.
