4 Killed in Head-On Crash on Highway 169 in Mille Lacs County
BY MN CRIME STAFF
Four people died and another was airlifted to a hospital after a head-on crash Wednesday evening on Highway 169 in Mille Lacs County.
The crash was the second fatal collision reported along the same stretch of Highway 169 in as many days.
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The crash happened at about 6:56 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, near milepost 222 just north of Shakopee Lake Road in Kathio Township. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the driver of a 2004 Buick LeSabre traveling northbound crossed the center line and collided head-on with the driver of a southbound 2005 Saab 9-5.
According to radio dispatches, four people were pronounced dead at the scene. A fifth person was airlifted by North Air Care to St. Cloud Hospital with serious injuries. The State Patrol noted the crash involved at least one unbelted occupant.
READ MORE > Mille Lacs County coverage
Investigators said the Buick was driven by a 21-year-old woman from Isle. The Saab was driven by a 53-year-old Minneapolis woman and carried three passengers, a 41-year-old man from Onamia, a 25-year-old woman from Onamia and a 51-year-old Minneapolis man. Authorities have not said which victims died in the crash and are expected to release additional information Thursday evening.
The roadway was reported dry at the time of the collision. Assisting agencies included the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office, Mille Lacs Tribal Police, Onamia Ambulance, Crosby Ambulance and North Air Care.
The deadly crash occurred about 6 miles away from another fatal collision on Highway 169 the morning before. In that incident, the driver of a Subaru Impreza traveling southbound near 460th Street in Kathio Township lost control on an icy curve, crossed into oncoming traffic and was struck by the driver of a northbound Kia Sorento. The driver of the Subaru, 50-year-old Nicole Elizabeth Freeman, of Garrison, died at the scene. The driver of the Kia, 42-year-old man of Isle, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center.
PREVIOUSLY: Woman Killed in Icy Highway 169 Crash in Mille Lacs County
Emergency crews remained at the scene for several hours Wednesday night as investigators worked to determine what led up to the crash and crews cleared the roadway.
The crash was the second fatal collision reported along the same stretch of Highway 169 in as many days.