Ironwood man dies after accident

IRONWOOD — A 56-year-old Ironwood man who was involved in an 11:12 a.m. Wednesday accident later died.

Allen Rice, of Lake Road, died after his vehicle went off the roadway near the Douglas Boulevard and Michigan Avenue intersection and came to rest against a house. The Ironwood Public Safety Department investigated the accident.

Rice appeared to have suffered a medical attack just prior to or during the accident and he was unresponsive when first responders arrived. Efforts to revive him by Beacon Ambulance attendants and officers at the scene were unsuccessful.

Officers said Wednesday they didn’t know if the incident would be treated as a traffic fatality because of the medical issue.

There was minor damage to the house, an officer said.

The vehicle was towed away.

Rice is a former employee of both radio station WJMS-WIMI and the Daily Globe, where he worked in the advertising composing department.

He was also involved with local community theater.

At the radio station, he was known as Uncle Al. He created and voiced regionally-themed ads, played records and participated in the Deer Hunters Round-up during gun-deer seasons.

The radio station’s Sam Erspamer said a gathering to remember Rice would be held today at 2 p.m. at the Iron Horse in Hurley.

On the air Friday morning, Erspamer said the employees of the radio station were saddened to hear of Rice’s death.

—Ralph Ansami