Two car accident leaves one man dead in Wakefield

WAKEFIELD — The Michigan State Police Wakefield Post responded to a fatal traffic accident at approximately 5:43pm on February 1st.

The two vehicles collided on Highway M28 near Jack Spur Road on the Gogebic-Ontonagon County line. Where 75-year-old Phillip L. Wirtanen of Merriweather, Michigan, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The other man involved, 24-year-old Anthony Beinhorn of Shakopee, Minnesota, was treated for minor injuries and released from Aspirus Grandview.

Authorities believe that Wirtanen’s preexisting medical condition was a factor in the the collision, and investigators maintain that alcohol played no role in the accident. Neither vehicle had any additional passengers.

Assisting agencies at the scene were the Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department, Beacon EMS, Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department, SONCO South EMS, Bergland Township Fire Department, Michigan DNR, and Iron County Dispatch.