6/09/2026

COVINGTON - A three-vehicle crash on Sunday that closed M-28 in Covington Township for 6 hours resulted in one death.  In a Monday press release yesterday, the Baraga County Sheriff’s Office says around 2 p.m., it was dispatched to M-28 near Pirkola Road. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a semi-tractor and trailer overturned across M-28 and fully engulfed in flames after striking and breaking a power line. The driver of the tractor-trailer, 60-year-old Karry Mengsolf, of Southern Wisconsin, received minor injuries after he was able to escape the cab and move away from the scene.  The driver of the second vehicle identified as 67-year-old Gary Cronkright, of Iron River, was pronounced dead at the scene.  A third vehicle traveling behind the tractor-trailer was struck by debris from the crash. That driver was not injured.  Deputies say a preliminary investigation determined that the vehicle driven by Cronkright crossed the center line into the oncoming lane of traffic and struck the front of the trailer.  The crash remains under investigation by the Baraga County Sheriff’s Office.