Man dies in truck fire

Man dies in truck fire.

#OceanaCountyNews

GRANT TOWNSHIP — An unidentified male died Sunday morning in a vehicle fire that occurred at 7:16 a.m. on South Water Road west of West Clay Road.

The victim was in a 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup truck that had been travelling northbound on South Water Road and had gone off the road, partially recovered, then went off the road again and struck a large spruce tree. Upon hitting the tree, the vehicle ignited on fire and the lone male occupant was unable to escape, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast.

“A passing motorist who witnessed some of the event made a very courageous effort to rescue the driver although was unable to because of the fire,” Mast said. The identity of the occupant has not been confirmed yet, Mast said. More information will be released upon confirmation of identity and notification of the victim’s family.

Emergency units responding included Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Grant Township Fire and Rescue and Life EMS.

“Deputies continue to investigate the incident along with the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Investigator,” Mast said. “Speed was very likely a factor in this crash; we are still investigating if drugs and alcohol may have played a part in the crash as well. When the identity is confirmed through dental records we will release the name of the driver.”