Details Emerge In Oakland County Crash That Killed Detroit Marathon Runner

WALLED LAKE, MI — Grace Nolan, who was scheduled to run in the Detroit Free Press Marathon last weekend, was killed in a single car crash a night before the race, according to police.

The crash happened just before 5:30 p.m. last Saturday on Decker Road between North Pontiac Trail and West Maple Road in Walled Lake, according to police.

Officials responded to the area and found Nolan and her boyfriend trapped inside an SUV that had crashed into a tree, according to police.

Officials extricated the two from the SUV and took them to a nearby hospital, where Nolan died, according to police.

Police did not release any other details about the crash.

Nolan's dad, Jason Nolan, said in a public Facebook post that she was the passenger in the SUV. Her boyfriend, Matt, was driving and sustained serious injuries but is expected to recover.

"While we are devastated by this, we do know that we will endure and get on the other side of this eventually," Jason said in the post. "We are thankful for all of the friends who have already reached out via text, phone calls, emails and private messages to offer their condolences and their love to us and our family. Please also keep Matt and his family in your hearts, as I know they are hurting, as well."

The 25-year-old was set to lead the women’s elite field at the Freep Marathon in Detroit. It would have been her second marathon and her second time running the Freep Marathon, the Detroit Free Press Marathon said in a statement posted to Instagram.

Nolan was also a second-year medical student at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, according to the post, which added that she was working toward her third Oakland degree.

She was named first-team All-Horizon League in cross country three times.

In her final collegiate season, Nolan won the Horizon League 10,000-meter title with a championship record time. She was named a Horizon League 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee, the post said.

"To Grace’s family, friends, teammates, coaches and classmates: we hold you close and grieve with you. Grace, thank you for the light you brought to every start line. You will always be part of this race," the organization wrote.

Nolan's family said a celebration of life is planned for Oct. 31 at Oakland University.