TEEN FOOTBALL PLAYER JASON SOLOMAN, 17, KILLED IN HORRIFIC 𝔠r𝘢sh — DRIVER, 18, ACCUSED OF SPEEDING AT NEARLY 129 MPH

Prosecutors allege that a BMW was traveling at more than 128 mph just five seconds before crashing into a tree in Michigan. Now, the 18-year-old driver is facing a second-degree murder charge as disturbing details emerge about his alleged driving history.

A Michigan community is mourning the loss of 17-year-old Jason Soloman, a high school senior and football player whose life was cut short in a devastating car 𝔠r𝘢sh earlier this month.

Jackson Lakies, 18, was behind the wheel of a BMW with Soloman in the passenger seat when the vehicle reportedly struck a tree on Center Road in Peninsula Township on October 3, 2026.

Soloman died at the scene.

What began as a journey between two young friends has since become the focus of a serious criminal case, with prosecutors alleging that extreme speed, alcohol use and a history of dangerous driving all played a role in the tᩚraɢedy.

Lakies has been charged with second-degree murder and operating while intoxicated causing dєatᩚh. The allegations have yet to be tested at trial, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Vehicle Data Reveals The Alleged Speed Before The 𝔠r𝘢sh

During court proceedings, prosecutors described evidence recovered from the vehicle that they say reveals how fast the BMW was traveling in the moments leading up to the collision.

According to the allegations presented in court, the car was traveling approximately 128.6 miles per hour just five seconds before the 𝔠r𝘢sh.

Prosecutors further alleged that Lakies did not begin braking until roughly half a second before impact.

The figures have become a central part of the case as investigators seek to establish what happened in the final moments before the BMW struck the tree.

Authorities also allege that Lakies had consumed alcohol before driving.

The combination of the reported speed, the timing of the braking and the allegation of alcohol consumption has prompted prosecutors to pursue charges that go beyond those typically associated with a fatal road collision.

Prosecutors Point To Previous Driving Encounters

Another significant element of the case concerns Lakies’s alleged driving history before the October 3 𝔠r𝘢sh.

Prosecutors reportedly told the court that he had approximately eight or nine previous encounters with law enforcement involving his driving in the months leading up to the collision.

Those encounters allegedly included speeding violations, complaints about reckless driving and a separate 𝔠r𝘢sh approximately two weeks before Soloman’s dєatᩚh.

Prosecutors argue that this history is relevant because, according to their account, Lakies had previously come to the attention of authorities over concerns about his driving.

The allegations are expected to be an important part of the prosecution’s argument. However, the precise circumstances and outcomes of the earlier incidents would need to be considered individually as the case progresses.

For Soloman’s loved ones, the central fact remains that a teenager with his future ahead of him did not survive the 𝔠r𝘢sh.

An 18-Year-Old Driver Faces Serious Charges

Lakies appeared in court on October 23, 2026, where he was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder and operating while intoxicated causing dєatᩚh.

His bond was denied, with prosecutors reportedly citing public-safety concerns and the allegations surrounding his driving history.

The second-degree murder charge reflects the seriousness of the prosecution’s case. It does not, however, amount to a finding of guilt.

As the legal process moves forward, the court will have to consider the evidence, the relevant legal standards and the arguments presented by both sides.

The case also raises broader questions about the consequences of dangerous driving and the responsibility that comes with getting behind the wheel.

Remembering Jason Soloman

Jason Soloman was a senior at Traverse City Central High School and a member of its football team.

At just 17 years old, he was at a stage of life when graduation, future plans and new opportunities were approaching. His dєatᩚh has left his family, friends and school community facing a loss that no legal proceeding can undo.

For those who knew him, he was more than the passenger named in a criminal case. He was a young person with relationships, ambitions and a future that should have stretched far beyond that October night.

As the investigation and court proceedings continue, the circumstances of the 𝔠r𝘢sh will be examined in detail. Prosecutors will seek to establish their allegations, while the accused retains the right to defend himself through the legal process.

One young life has been lost, and a community is left grieving. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the potentially devastating consequences of excessive speed and impaired driving.

May Jason Soloman’s loved ones find strength and support as they navigate an unimaginable loss.