ACME -- Firefighters across northern Michigan are mourning the loss of one of their own.
Frank Rutherford, 65, of Traverse City was killed in a crash Sunday afternoon on M-72 in Grand Traverse County.
A mini-van driven by a 40-year-old Kalkaska man crossed the center line and crashed head-on into Rutherford's truck. Rutherford was pronounced dead at the scene.
Rutherford served several northern Michigan communities as a firefighter throughout his 48 years of service. He began his career as a firefighter at the age of 17 in Elk Rapids. Rutherford served as the Fire Chief for the Grand Traverse Rural Fire Department in Williamsburg before joining the Grand Traverse Metro team in the mid 1980's. At the time of his death, Rutherford was the Water Supply Officer for GT Metro's Acme station.
Chief Pat Parker with the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department tells 7&4 News the crew is devastated with the loss of Rutherford. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
Funeral details are still being worked out.
The driver of the mini-van was treated for non-life threatening injuries. A third car, was also hit by the mini-van. The driver of that car was not injured.
