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Hannahville child dies after being hit by car last week

By R. R. BRANSTROM, Daily Press, Escanaba 2 min read
While a healing fire burns in his yard to guide the spirit of a child who was struck by a car last week, Jeff Lindstrom (left) of the Sault Tribe smudges over Angela Mohme (right) and Cory Boye (center) on Monday. Smudging, the act of burning sage, is a Native American ritual meant to provide spiritual cleansing and healing. Authorities announced Tuesday that Elijah McMillan, 12, had died. (R. R. Branstrom/Daily Press photo)

HANNAHVILLE -- A 12-year-old boy who was struck by a vehicle last week in Menominee County has died, the Hannahville Tribal Police Department announced Tuesday.

At about 9:10 p.m. Sept. 15, Menominee County Central Dispatch received a 911 call that a pedestrian had been hit by a car near the Potawatomi Heritage Center at N15756 Hannahville B-1 Road. Harris Fire Department and other units responded.

The driver was not intoxicated, has been "fully cooperative" with law enforcement, and "there is no evidence of negligence," according to a news release. However, an investigation remains ongoing.

Lifesaving efforts were performed on scene. The child, Elijah McMillan, was first transported to OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba and later transferred to Children's Wisconsin, a pediatric acute care hospital in Milwaukee.

For several days, the boy's family and friends prayed for his recovery. Tribal members in first Hannahville then Escanaba lit healing fires to encourage McMillan's soul to find the right path while his mother and others were at the bedside in Milwaukee.

The Daily Press published a detailed account of the Native American tradition Tuesday under the headline, "Fire burns for Elijah," https://www.dailypress.net/news/local-news/2026/09/fire-burns-for-elijah/.

A few days ago, when it was determined the boy was brain dead, arrangements were made to donate his organs.

Now that his life has ended, fellow Sault Tribe members are tending a walking-on fire in Jeff and Angie Lindstrom's backyard on the 19th block of First Avenue South in Escanaba, where community members are welcome to pay respects.

In addition to Hannahville Tribal Police Department, Harris Fire Department and Menominee County Central Dispatch, also assisting Sept. 15 were the Menominee County Sheriff's Department, Delta County Sheriff's Department, Michigan State Police Accident Investigators, U.P. Health Systems and Rampart.

Hannahville Tribal Police Department released a statement Tuesday extending "condolences to the families and everyone involved in this tragic accident."

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R. R. Branstrom can be reached at rbranstrom@dailypress.net.

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