Free Soil man who died in county line crash identified.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

FILER TOWNSHIP (Manistee County) — The Manistee County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who died in a two vehicle crash this morning on US 31 just north of the Mason-Manistee counties line. George Kuhr, 79, of Free Soil was pronounced dead at the scene after his Chevrolet Equinox SUV collided head-on with a semi-truck about 50 feet south of Fox Farm Road.

“Witness have stated (Kuhr’s) vehicle crossed the centerline for no apparent reason,” said Manistee County Undersheriff John O’Hagen in a press release. “The semi was driven by a Hesperia man who sustained no injury.”

Kuhr was alone in his vehicle and was traveling north. He crossed the centerline just south of Fox Farm Road and his vehicle was pushed back a few hundred feet from the point of impact. The crash occurred about 11:20 a.m., according to Manistee County Sheriff Dale Kowalkowski, who spoke to MCP on scene.

US 31 remains closed between County Line and Pruess roads. Traffic is being diverted west to Maple Road. O’Hagen said the highway was expected to remain closed into the evening.

Sheriff Kowalkowski said a Michigan State Police investigator from Gaylord was being called to the scene to investigate.

An autopsy on Kuhr is scheduled to take place in Grand Rapids Tuesday to determine the exact cause of death, O’Hagen said.

Assisting were Manistee County Sheriff’s Office, West Shore EMS, Michigan State Police, Manistee City Police, Little River Band of Ottawa County Indians law enforcement, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Filer Township Fire Department and Grant Township Fire Department (Mason County).