Elijah Berman, a 17-year-old committed to Eastern Michigan University, passes away after his motorcycle collides with a semi-truck

On June 24, Daniel Susco and Kristen Spicker of the Dayton Daily News shared the tragic passing news of a 17-year-old student of the Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School. The Warren County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identity of the teenager as Elijah Berman of Dayton. The principal of the High School released a statement, “It is with broken hearts that our community comes together to embrace the family and friends of senior student Elijah Berman who tragically died on Tuesday evening.”According to the Dayton Daily News, at around 5:12 pm, emergency crews were called to a crash site at the ramp from Northbound Interstate 75 to Ohio 123. A 1995 Peterbilt 379 semi-truck was driving down the ramp from the highway when it hit a 2006 Suzuki DL1000 motorcycle in Franklin. The motorcycle was driving south on Ohio 123 in the intersection. After the collision, the semi-truck hit a raised median divider and overturned. The motorcycle overturned and came to a halt at the raised median divider. Elijah Berman was the one driving the 2006 Suzuki DL1000 motorcycle.Allie Hennard of FOX19 NOW News was present at the crash site. She reported, "Definitely a tragedy here tonight. And the road's still blocked off. There's tow trucks on scene right behind me - just trying to get this huge semi off the road and just about ten minutes ago, the Ohio State Highway Patrol released the identities of those involved - a 17-year-old juvenile out of Dayton succumbed to his injuries at Atrium Medical Center and that the driver of the semi was identified as a man from Michigan, Anthony Allen. Now, he is expected to be okay. But still definitely a scary situation here tonight."Ten days ago, Elijah Berman had committed to the Eastern Michigan EaglesOn June 16, Elijah Berman committed to the Eastern Michigan Eagles. He was a defensive lineman from Dayton, Ohio. According to 247Sports, many college football teams like Ohio Bobcats, Bowling Green Falcons, Kent State Golden Flashes, Army Black Knights, Navy Midshipmen, Eastern Kentucky Colonels, Mercyhurst College Lakers, and Pennsylvania Quakers had shown interest in acquiring Elijah Berman. The Eastern Michigan Eagles offered Berman in February 2025. He visited them on June 8. And officially committed to the Eagles on June 16. Ten days later, he tragically passed away after his motorcycle collided with a semi-truck in Franklin. FootballForever’s official Instagram account wrote, “Eastern Michigan commit DT Elijah Berman tragically passed in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday. Berman, 17, was attending Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton, Ohio, and had just committed to play football at EMU on June 16. Eastern Michigan HC Chris Creighton issued the following statement: “We are mourning the passing of Elijah Berman. Our thoughts & prayers are with his mother Heather, current teammates, family & friends. Elijah was ultra talented, yet it was his big heart, infectious smile, & awesome personality that made us fall in love with him. RIP Elijah.”Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School Principal Greg Mueller shared with Jenilee Borek of Dayton 24/7 Now News, "Just a fantastic student. One of our top students. I've used the phrase he's an all-around Eagle because he was great in his academics and was a leader on the football field. He was also a leader here in the track program."On June 26, the school released a statement on Facebook, "Eli knew what it meant to be an Eagle and made an impact anywhere and everywhere he went. He was a leader on the football field and track, an Eagle Ambassador, a big brother to our Little Sibs program, and a strong student with a big personality. He had just accepted an offer to chase his dreams and play college football at Eastern Michigan University. Today, and in the days, weeks, and months that follow, we ask our community to please keep Eli's family, friends, and all who loved him in you prayers as we hold on to each other during this heartbreaking time. May God's peace surround us all, especially #55."Also Read: Kane Brown calls Travis Kelce’s ladylove Taylor Swift a special guest at the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville | NFL News - Times of India