One Killed, One Hospitalized In M-72 Crash

A 44-year-old Ironwood man was killed and a 23-year-old Lake Ann man hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a three-vehicle crash on M-72 near Gray Road Friday.

According to the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the area of M-72 just west of Gray Road in Long Lake Township at 10:55pm Friday. While the crash is still under investigation, authorities believe a 23-year-old Lake Ann man was driving east and struck another east-bound vehicle from behind, which was driven by a 46-year-old Traverse City woman. The woman then went off the roadway to the right, where her car overturned. Minor injuries were reported by her and her passenger. They were not hospitalized.

After hitting the woman, the Lake Ann man then crossed the center line, where he struck a west-bound vehicle driven by a 44-year-old Ironwood man. The Ironwood driver died on the scene as a result of injuries from the crash. The Lake Ann man was taken to Munson Medical Center with critical injuries.

Investigators are still working to determine the factors in the crash, according to the Sheriff's Office.