Head-On Crash on Highway 24 in Meeker County Leaves 1 Dead
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A 22-year-old man died after a two-vehicle crash early Saturday morning in Meeker County.
The collision happened at about 1:46 a.m. March 14 at the intersection of Highway 24 and 620th Avenue in Litchfield Township.
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According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the driver of a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling westbound on Highway 24 when he crossed into the path of an eastbound 2004 Ford F-150 near 620th Avenue and struck the pickup.
The driver of the Malibu, Eben Junior Laidlaw, 22, of Grove City, was taken to Meeker Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries. Authorities say he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
The driver of the pickup truck, Joseph David Johnson, 22, of Litchfield, was also taken to Meeker Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities say alcohol is suspected to be a factor for Johnson. Investigators have not yet determined whether alcohol played a role for Laidlaw.
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The Minnesota State Patrol is continuing to investigate what led to the collision.
Litchfield Fire Department, Litchfield Police Department, the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office and Mayo Ambulance assisted at the scene.
The collision happened at about 1:46 a.m. March 14 at the intersection of Highway 24 and 620th Avenue in Litchfield Township.