2 Dead in Multi-Vehicle Aitkin County Crash
Two people are dead and multiple others seriously injured after a four-vehicle crash Friday at the intersection of Highway 169 and Grove Street in Waukenabo Township.
The State Patrol and Aitkin County authorities say the crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. on Oct. 4, 2024, when the driver of a 1993 GMC Suburban pulling a trailer failed to stop at a stop sign on County Road 3.
The Suburban was struck by a 2019 GMC Yukon traveling northbound on Highway 169. The impact caused severe damage to both vehicles, while a westbound Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Dodge Ram—both waiting at the intersection—were also struck, sustaining moderate damage.
Authorities say the driver of the Suburban, identified as 61-year-old Roger John Walker, of Minnetonka, suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital. Two passengers in the Suburban were killed in the crash: Elizabeth Jane Baldwin, 61, and Marlo Dean Baldwin, 92, both of Minnetonka, died at the scene. Elizabeth Baldwin was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, the Patrol said.
The driver of the Yukon, 44-year-old Lisa Mae Melberg, of Zimmerman, also suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Hennepin Healthcare along with three of her passengers. An 11-year-old girl, a 14-year-old girl, and an 18-year-old male also had life-threatening injuries. The other passengers of the Yukon, an 18-year-old female and a 15-year-old female, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the Patrol said.
The drivers of the Jeep and Dodge Ram were uninjured in the crash. Alcohol use is not suspected for anyone involved in the crash.
Authorities confirm that road conditions were dry at the time of the crash, and the investigation is ongoing.
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