BEAR CREEK TWP. – Thomas Ned Grutsch, 69, of East Jordan, was killed Tuesday morning in a multi-vehicle crash on US 131 in Bear Creek Township.
According to the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and Michigan State Police were dispatched to the crash scene, south of Howard Road, at approximately 9:15 a.m.
During their investigation, authorities determined that a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by Grutsch was traveling south on US 131 when it lost control on the snowy and icy road. The truck crossed into the northbound lane and was struck by a 2018 Freightliner semi driven by a 41-year-old man from Sears.
Grutsch was pronounced dead at the scene.
More: An East Jordan man was killed Tuesday in a crash on US 131 in Bear Creek Township
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A 2021 Chevrolet Express van driven by an 81-year-old man from East Jordan was also involved in the crash as it attempted to avoid the initial collision.
Undersheriff Matt Leirstein confirmed there were no other injuries as a result of the crash.
“We believe it was just the road conditions and that was the cause of the accident,” Leirstein said.
According to his obituary, funeral services for Grutsch will be held at noon on Friday, December 13, at Gaylord E-Free Church, where the family will visit with friends beginning at 10 a.m. Pastor Scott Distler will speak.
This article originally appeared in The Petoskey News-Review: East Jordan victim identified in fatal Tuesday crash on US 131
