The Mason County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the tragic passing of 16-year-old Samantha Jo Bateson of Custer following a two-vehicle crash on February 19, 2025.
Authorities identified Bateson, a student at Mason County Eastern High School, as the victim of the fatal accident, which occurred near the school at the intersection of U.S. 10 and Main Street in the village of Custer. Emergency responders arrived at the scene at approximately 11:56 a.m. on Wednesday.
According to a news release issued on Friday, Bateson was initially reported to be 17, but officials later clarified her age as 16.
A preliminary investigation by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Crash Team determined that Bateson’s vehicle was traveling northbound on Main Street when she stopped at a stop sign before pulling into the path of an eastbound 2010 Dodge Ram pickup truck. The truck collided with the driver’s side of her car.
The driver of the pickup, a 33-year-old Custer man, was unharmed.
Bateson was driving with a passenger, an 18-year-old Mason County Eastern High School student from Custer. The passenger was transported to Corewell Health Ludington Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities stated that speed and alcohol do not appear to have been factors in the crash.
Sheriff Kim Cole expressed his condolences, saying, “As a father of young drivers, my heart breaks for the family of the young life lost. And, as the sheriff, I join our community in mourning for the MCE family.”
Multiple emergency services, including Custer Township Fire and Jaws, Scottville Fire, and Life EMS, responded to the scene. The Mason County Sheriff’s Office Victim’s Services Unit provided support to the family at Corewell Hospital.
