A L’Anse woman was killed in an accident on US-41

L’ANSE TOWNSHIP — According to the Baraga County Sheriff’s Office, 59-year-old JoAnne Hilsendager, of L’Anse, was driving a silver GMC Envoy southbound on US-41 when she crossed the center line and collided with a northbound semi-truck driven by 57-year-old Brian Williams, of Baraga.

Hilsendager was pronounced dead at the scene. Williams was unhurt in the crash, according to officers at the scene.

A third driver, 75-year-old Paul Kaurala, of Pelkie, swerved to avoid the crash. The Chevy Silverado ended up in the ditch on the hillside. According to the sheriff’s office, Kaurala’s passenger, 82-year-old Delores Perala, also of Pelkie, was injured and transported to Baraga County Memorial Hospital by Bay Ambulance for treatment.

US-41 was completely closed to traffic from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. while a Michigan State Police traffic re-constructionist processed the scene and the Michigan Department of Transportation worked to clean up fuel spilled from the semi-truck.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Michigan State Police, Baraga Police Department, Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police, the Michigan Department of Transportation, Bay Ambulance, L’Anse Fire Department and Baraga Fire Department.