BARAGA COUNTY (WWJ) - One man is dead, another is injured and a semi truck driver is in police custody after semi-truck plowed into a gas station, igniting a massive fire in the Upper Peninsula on Thursday evening.
Michigan State Police said the fatal crash occurred around 11:10 p.m. as a 22 yr-old male from Illinois accused of driving drunk crashed his rig into the Holiday Gas Station along US Highway 41 in L'anse.
According to officials, a 43-year-old man from Baraga was outside filling his tank with gas when the semi-truck careened into the station, its trailer striking the gas pumps and igniting a massive fire.
Police said the 43-year-old was fatally wounded. He was transported to Baraga County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) where he later died of his injuries.
"The crash caused an extensive structure fire to the station and surrounding vehicles," MSP added,
A Holiday Store employee was injured in the incident and also taken to BCMH while a customer was able to escape the scene unhurt.
Police said the passenger in the semi-truck, a trainee, was not injured in the crash.
"US Highway 41 was shut down for an extended period due to the fire and traffic crash investigation. MSP Accident Investigators and MSP Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) Investigators are assisting with the investigation," troopers said.
The 22-year-old semi-truck driver was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated causing death. He is currently lodged at the Baraga County Jail pending drunk driving charges.
The incident remains under investigation at this time.