UPDATE: Authorities identified the driver in the fiery crash as 35-year-old Andrew Dean Blankenship from Montague. His identity was confirmed by a surgical plate that he had from a previous bone break.
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GRANT TOWNSHIP, Mich. - A man was killed Sunday morning after his car hit a tree and caught fire in Grant Township.
According to the Oceana County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to South Water Road just west of Clay Road around 7:15 a.m. They found a 2005 Dodge Dakota pickup had been traveling northbound and went off the road, partially recovered, went off the road again and struck a large spruce tree.
When the truck hit the tree, the vehicle caught fire and the lone occupant was unable to escape.
Police said a driver passing by the scene tried to rescue the driver but was unable to because of the fire.
The incident is currently under investigation. Police believe speed is a factor in the crash and they are still investigating if drugs or alcohol played a part in the incident.
The driver's name will be released when the identity can be confirmed through dental records.
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