This is the scene of a fire that took place at the Holiday gas station in L’Anse late Thursday evening. A man died in the accident, while another man was arrested in connection with the incident. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan State Police)

L’ANSE — The American Rally Association has confirmed that the Baraga man who was killed after a semi truck crashed into the L’Anse Holiday gas station and started a fire on Thursday was set to participate in the Lake Superior Performance Rally this weekend.

The Mining Journal will not publish the man’s name until police release it.

The victim was reportedly pumping gas when the incident occured.

An Illinois man was driving the semi-truck and trailer that crashed, according to a Michigan State Police press release.

Troopers from the MSP Calumet Post reported to the scene at about 11:10 p.m. Thursday for a fatal traffic crash and large-scale structure fire.

Upon investigation, troopers learned the crash involved a semi-truck and trailer striking the gas pumps, which killed a 43-year-old man from Baraga who was outside filling his vehicle with gas.

The crash also caused an extensive structure fire to the station and surrounding vehicles, MSP said.

U.S. 41 was shut down for an extended period while police investigated the fire and traffic crash. MSP accident investigators and MSP Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division investigators are assisting with the ongoing investigation.

The Baraga man was transported to Baraga County Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. A Holiday store employee was also transported to BCMH for injuries received in the incident. Another store patron was able to escape from the scene with no injuries. A trainee who was a passenger in the semi-truck was not injured.

The driver of the tractor trailer, a 22-year-old man from Illinois, was lodged at the Baraga County Jail for allegedly operating while intoxicated causing death.

Troopers were assisted by the Baraga County Sheriff’s Office, Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police, Baraga Village Police and the L’Anse Police Department. Several local fire departments responded, including the L’Anse Fire Department, Baraga Fire Department, Houghton Fire Department, Arvon Fire Department, Aura Fire Department and Pelkie Fire Department, as well as Bay Ambulance Service.

The scene is still active and remains under investigation.