BERGLAND — A weekend accident in southern Ontonagon County claimed the life of a man from Wakefield. The Ontonagon Sheriff’s Department reported the accident occurred on M-28 in. Bergland Township near Tiberline Rentals. Sheriff’s deputies along with Michigan State Police from the Wakefield Post and law enforcement from the National Forest Service, responded to the accident around 1:30 (CDT) Saturday.

The victim, was an 81-year old man from Wakefield, was eastbound and attempted to turn left into a private drive when his vehicle was struck by a westbound vehicle. The vehicle tried to avoid the collision but was not able. The occupants of the westbound vehicle were a 61 year old man and a 63 year old woman, from Minnesota.

The Wakefield man was taken by ambulance to Aspirus Ironwood Hospital where he died of his injuries.The woman in the westbound vehicle was also taken by ambulance to

Aspirus Ironwood and airlifted for further medical attention, The other occupant in the vehicle, the 61-year old man, sought medical treatment for his injuries.

The Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation. Undersheriff Charles Pantti said the man and woman are expected to be discharged from the hospital. Pantti said it is not believed that either speed or alcohol were factors in the accident. However it is being investigated to determine if a medical condition could have played a role in the crash. “We’re waiting for the blood and toxicology reports and investigations to wrap up,” Pantti said. “We don’t believe there was any criminal element to it.”

In addition to law enforcement, SONCO Ambulance, Beacon Ambulance and the Bergland Fire Department responded to the accident.