For those who knew Chang Sup Yoon, they remember him as social and extremely friendly, a dedicated athlete and a hard-working student.
Yoon, who went by the name Justin, was a 19-year-old hospitality business freshman from Kentwood. He died early Saturday morning when he drove his silver BMW off the road.
A a report from the Eaton County Sheriff's Department said he was fleeing police at high speeds, shortly after 2 a.m.
Advertising freshman Soh Young In, Yoon's girlfriend of more than a year, said he lived a well-rounded life.
She said he was a great athlete in high school, participating in soccer, basketball, swimming and baseball.
"He was a leader on one of them," In said.
In said Yoon also made the honor roll in high school. He arrived at MSU last fall.
"He really liked his job and he really liked his life," In said. "He said he was happy and it's hard to say you're happy in a word. To me that means he was really happy and that makes me happy to know."
In said Yoon spoke to her 30 minutes before his death - he was heading to a business meeting in northern Lansing.
Ingham County sheriffs attempted to stop Yoon in the Delhi Township area of state Route 99 and Interstate 96, according to a report from the Eaton County Sheriff's Department.
Police would not comment on why they were pursuing Yoon.
The report said Yoon's vehicle slowed down and then accelerated westbound on I-96 and said the deputy reported that the driver had turned off his headlights and might have turned off onto an exit. Ingham County Sheriff's Office would not comment.
Eaton County Sgt. Rod Sadler said Yoon's vehicle was found 10 minutes later in a ditch area between westbound I-96 and exit 98 to Lansing Road in Windsor Township in Eaton County.
"The vehicle was found partially disintegrated on its side in a small thicket," Sadler said. It had rolled over several times and Yoon was found inside the car, still wearing his seat belt, 688 feet off the roadway, he said.
Yoon was identified by family members, Sadler said. Yoon's family could not be reached for comment Sunday.
Sadler said police are not sure why Yoon was trying to elude police but they do believe he was traveling in excess of 100 mph. Windsor Township firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene. Yoon died from injuries related to the crash, he said.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death and if Yoon had taken alcohol or drugs.
Although neighbors in Williams Hall didn't know Yoon well, they were saddened when they were informed at a hall meeting. The hall plans to use floor funds to buy flowers for the funeral. The Williams Hall Government will match the money given.
Visitation for Yoon will be held at Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E. Grand River Ave. on Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
