Driver Dies After Hitting Semi Head-on Near North Branch

Nov 18

One driver died in a head-on crash on Highway 95 in North Branch Township Monday night, the Minnesota State Patrol says.

The driver of a westbound Jeep Patriot reportedly crossed the centerline near Hornsby Road NE and hit a semi.

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The crash happened around 8:52 p.m. Initial info from troopers says the Jeep driver veered into the eastbound lane and struck a 2026 Mack Anthem tractor truck head-on. The Jeep burst into flames on impact and both vehicles came to rest on the northbound side of the highway.

Fire crews said they initially didn’t know if anyone else was inside because the vehicle was fully engulfed, but no one escaped from the burning Jeep and no other victims were found.

The driver of the Jeep died at the scene. The State Patrol says her identity will be released in the coming days, with her age and hometown not not yet confirmed.

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The semi driver, a 53-year-old man from Pine River, was taken to a hospital with leg pain, according to emergency radio traffic Monday night. Troopers listed road conditions as dry at the time of the crash and Highway 95 was closed while a reconstruction team processed the scene.

Isanti County deputies, North Branch police, North Branch Fire and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office responded.

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