COVINGTON TOWNSHIP — One man was killed Sunday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash in Baraga County, and left a second person with minor injuries.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., Sunday, deputies from the Baraga County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the crash on M-28 near Pirkola Road in Covington Township.

A Monday statement from the Sheriff’s Office says upon arrival, deputies discovered a semi-truck overturned across M-28 and fully engulfed in flames after striking and breaking a power line. The driver, Larry Bruce Mengsol, a 60-year-old male from Mequon, Wisconsin, was able to escape the cab and move away from the scene. He sustained minor injuries.

The driver of the second vehicle, driven by a 67-year-old male, Gary Cronkright, from Iron River, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A third vehicle traveling behind the tractor-trailer, was struck by debris from the crash. Though the vehicle was disabled as result of the incident, no injuries were reported by its occupants.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the vehicle driven by Cronkright crossed the center line into the oncoming lane and struck the front of the trailer driven by Mengsol.

The Covington Fire Department posted a statement on its social media page at approximately 4:30 p.m., saying the highways between the Covington Junction and Sidnaw were closed. Motorists were advised to seek alternative routes heading East from Sidnaw or West from Covington, adding several area residents were without electricity.

M-28 was completely closed for approximately six hours, the Sheriff’s Office said in its statement. One lane of traffic was reopened while WE Energies crews installed a new utility pole and worked to restore electrical service. Both lanes of traffic were finally reopened at approximately 11:30 p.m.

Vehicle recovery and cleanup operations were completed by 906 Towing, Dynamite Towing, and MD Contracting. Utility restoration was completed by Jamadots and WE Energies.

Baraga County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the L’Anse Police Department, Michigan State Police, Covington Township Fire Department, L’Anse Fire Department, Duncan Township Fire Department, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fire Division.

Covington Township F.D. said in a third social media post related to the crash it wishes to thank L’Anse and Duncan fire departments, for their mutual aid, all Michigan State Police officers and investigators, the Baraga County Sheriff’s Office, Mike Delene Contracting, 906 and Dynamite Towing, WE Energies, community members, and CFD responders.

The crash remains under investigation by the Baraga County Sheriff’s Office.