UPDATE: One dead in rollover accident in Calumet Township

UPDATE: The names have been released in the one car personal injury fatal accident that happened in Calumet township on July 2nd. The driver who suffered minor injuries has been identified as Arthur Oikarinen, 72, of Houghton, and the passenger who deceased in the accident has been identified as James Christner, 81, of Houghton.

The crash remains under investigation and a report will be filed with the Houghton County Prosecutors Office for further review of the case.

CALUMET TOWNSHIP — The Houghton County Sheriff Department investigated a one car personal injury fatal vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon at approximately 4:30 p.m. on US-41 near #4 Road in Centennial Heights, Calumet Township.

The vehicle was occupied by two occupants, with the driver sustaining minor injuries but the passenger was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.

The driver, who is from Houghton, was travelling northbound on US-41 and lost control as he went off of the paved portion and traveled along the gravel shoulder. The male driver, 65, then over corrected his vehicle and lost control as he went back onto the paved portion of US-41. The vehicle then slid sideways on the pavement, causing it to roll over. The driver of the vehicle was wearing his seat belt but the passenger, a 77-year-old male also from Houghton, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle.

He was driving a GMC S10 Blazer, which sustained heavy damage during the crash and was towed from the scene by Superior Service Towing. The crash remains under investigation at this time and further details will be released at a later time. Alcohol or drugs were not factors in the crash.

The sheriff department was assisted at the scene by the Keweenaw County Sheriff Department, Laurium Police Department, Michigan DNR Officers, Calumet Township Fire and Rescue, Mercy Ambulance, and the Houghton County Medical Examiners Office.