Fatal crash in Amber Twp.

UPDATED: AMBER TWP. — One person is dead following a single car accident on North Brye Road north of Johnson Road this morning. Gary Gramza Jr., 41, of Grant Township, was found dead in the vehicle this morning. It appears Gramza’s vehicle, a 2008 Dodge Nitro, ran into a tree in front of the home of Tom and Brenda Knudsen at 816 N. Brye Road.

Brenda Knudsen said her husband had left for work this morning and did not see the vehicle, however, their fifth-wheel RV trailer was parked in between the garage and the accident scene. Brenda said her neighbors, Henry and Diane Phelps, notified Tom at his work place that there was an accident in front of the house. The Phelps’ work for Urka Auto Center and a person test driving a car had made a comment about the vehicle.

“My husband called me and that’s when I went out and saw the car. I then called 911,” Brenda said. “Diane said she thought she had heard a vehicle drive past her house (about a half mile away at the intersection of Johnson Road) around midnight.”

Responders on the scene said the car was cold when they arrived just after 10:45 a.m., indicating it had been there for several hours.

Law enforcement said that Gramza’s family had reported him missing this morning. They have been notified of his death.

A Great Lakes Energy crew was called in to stabilize a pine tree, which the vehicle struck. Once the vehicle was moved from the tree the crew was planning on cutting it down.

Brenda said the vehicle drove through a fence but missed the RV before hitting the tree.

“I think people think they are driving down Dennis Road and so they come through here fast,” Brenda said.

Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Pere Marquette and Ludington fire departments and Life EMS responded on the scene, in addition to Great Lakes Energy.

Police are investigating the scene to determine when the accident happened. No cause been established.

We will have more information as it comes available.

Tags: Accident