Traverse City, MI — December 19, 2025 — The Michigan Court of Appeals has rejected an attempt by Nicholas Schram, 26, to overturn his prison sentence stemming from a head-on collision in May 2024 that killed a young Traverse City graduate and injured several others, preserving the original judgment handed down by a Grand Traverse County court.
Schram had been serving a two-to-five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in March 2025 to charges related to the deadly crash that claimed the life of 22-year-old Sam DeKuiper, a recent graduate of Traverse City West High School.
The crash occurred in May 2024 on a rural county road in Grand Traverse County when Schram’s truck crossed the center line and collided head-on with DeKuiper’s vehicle. DeKuiper, who was known in the community for his involvement in athletics, died from his injuries. Five passengers in Schram’s truck were also hurt.
At sentencing in May 2025, the court imposed concurrent terms of two to five years in prison after Schram accepted a plea agreement that reduced the original charges. Emotional testimony from DeKuiper’s family highlighted the deep community impact of the loss.
Schram’s appeal argued for his release from prison, but the Court of Appeals ruled on December 19, 2025 that the arguments lacked merit, leaving the original sentence intact and closing the appellate challenge.
The decision has brought renewed focus to the events of that day and the ongoing effects the tragedy has had on DeKuiper’s friends, family, and classmates. At this point, court officials report there are no further appeals currently anticipated from Schram’s legal team.
