UPDATE: Man injured in head-on collision still in ‘highly critical’ condition

UPDATE — Wednesday, November 30th, 2016 3:15 p.m. (EST)

The names of those involved in last week’s head-on collision in Ironwood have been released by authorities.

Ironwood Public Safety officers say Robert Victor Leppanen, 81 of Ironwood was the driver of the first vehicle who was airlifted to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Police say he is still in the hospital, where his condition is listed as highly critical with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the second vehicle was Justin David Mattson, 36 of Bessemer. Mattson’s passenger was Heather Ann Thompson, 33 of Bessemer.

IRONWOOD — One man is in the hospital for life-threatening injuries following a head-on collision Tuesday afternoon in Ironwood.

Officers at the Ironwood Public Safety Department say they responded to what was reported as a head-on collision on US-2 and Luxmore Street just before 1 p.m.

Upon their arrival, Beacon Ambulance was already on scene giving aid to a male victim.

The driver of one vehicle was transported to Aspirus Grand View Hospital and later airlifted to Aspirus Wausau Hospital for life-threatening injuries. His condition is unknown at this time.

The driver of the second vehicle did not appear seriously injured and sought their own medical attention.

A preliminary investigation of the accident showed that one vehicle failed to yield and caused the crash.

A section of US-2 was closed for five hours while evidence was collected by an accident investigator from the Michigan State Police Wakefield Post. The scene was clear by 5:30 p.m.

Assisting at the scene was Ironwood Public Safety, Michigan State Police Wakefield Post, Beacon Ambulance, Lahti Towing, Ramme Towing and the city of Ironwood Department of Public Works.

In addition, Ironwood Public Safety would like to thank the several concerned citizens who stopped to assist and render aid to the accident victims.