Alcohol Suspected in Highway 52 Crash That Left 1 Dead
Photo via MnDOT Traffic Management Camera
Authorities are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash that occurred early Saturday morning on Highway 52 in Pine Island Township.
The Minnesota State Patrol says the collision took place at around 1:12 a.m. near mile marker 90, when a Toyota Tacoma, driven by a 35-year-old woman, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes.
The Tacoma collided with two other vehicles, a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox and a 2017 Jeep Compass, both of which were traveling southbound.
The driver of the Equinox, a 60-year-old woman from Rochester, suffered fatal injuries. The driver of the Jeep, a 25-year-old female from Rochester, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported a Rocheste hospital.
The driver of the Tacoma, identified as Simona Montiel Vera, 35, of San Diego, California, suffered life-threatening injuries and taken to Saint Mary's Hospital for treatment. Authorities say Vera was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, and alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the incident.
Further details, including the identity of the driver of the Chevrolet Equinox, will be released at a later time. The crash remains under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol.
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