Saturday Crashes Cause Multiple Fatalities Across Minnesota
A still image from video of the suspect vehicle just before a fatal crash in Minneapolis. Submitted
Minnesota emergency crews responded to multiple serious crashes on Saturday, resulting in several life-threatening injuries and at least three fatalities.
12:23 a.m. - Hit-and-Run Fatal Crash in Minneapolis (Read more)
Minneapolis police say a 16-year-old girl was killed and five others were injured in a hit-and-run crash early Saturday morning. Officers were dispatched to the area of 5th Street North and Hennepin Avenue at approximately 12:23 a.m. after receiving reports of a vehicle that struck several pedestrians. According to investigators, an altercation had broken out in the middle of 5th Street North when an adult female suspec drove in reverse on Hennepin Avenue, and then traveled the wrong way down 5th Street, striking multiple people.
Goodhue County photo via MnDOT
Six victims were taken to Hennepin Healthcare Hospital, where the 16-year-old girl later died from her injuries. One other person had potentially life-threatening injuries, while four others were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect fled the scene, but witnesses followed her vehicle and provided the location to police. Officers, along with Hennepin County deputies and Minnesota State Patrol troopers, stopped the suspect on the 2300 block of Bryant Avenue North and took her into custody. She was booked into Hennepin County Jail on murder charges. The investigation is ongoing as police work to determine the events leading up to the crash and a possible motive.
1:12 a.m. - Fatal Three-Vehicle Crash in Goodhue County (Read more)
Authorities continue to investigate a fatal multi-vehicle crash that occurred early Saturday morning on Highway 52 near Pine Island Township in Goodhue County. The Minnesota State Patrol says 60-year-old Larea Lynne Post of Rochester was killed when her 2021 Chevrolet Equinox and a Jeep Compass collided with a Toyota Tacoma traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of traffic. The driver of the Tacoma, 35-year-old Simona Montiel Vera, of San Diego, Calif., sustained life-threatening injuries, while the driver of the Compass, 25-year-old Marisa Emily-Taylor Johnson, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Alcohol use is suspected for Vera, the Patrol said.
10:34 a.m. - Serious Injury Crash in Chisago County (Read more)
A six-year-old girl was critically injured in a head-on crash on Stacy Trail near Falcon Avenue in Stacy, MN, late Saturday morning. The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office says the girl, who was a rear passenger in one of the vehicles, was flown to a trauma center with life-threatening injuries. Four other individuals involved in the crash were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. An adult male driver suspected of causing the crash is currently in custody, with alcohol involvement likely being a factor.
11:58 a.m. - Fatal Crash in Mille Lacs County
Later in the morning, a 36-year-old man from Harris, MN, was killed in a head-on collision on Highway 95 near 120th Avenue in Greenbush Township, Mille Lacs County. The Minnesota State Patrol says Ulysses Stephen Chase was driving a 2003 Buick LeSabre eastbound when it crossed the center line and collided with a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox. Chase, who was unbelted at the time of the crash, died at the scene. Three passengers in the LeSabre, two juveniles, ages 11 and 13, and a 41-year-old woman, were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Equinox, a 63-year-old woman of Menomonie, WI, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Regions Hospital. Her two passengers were treated and transported for non-life-threatening injuries.
1:37 p.m. - Pedestrian Struck in Saint Peter
That afternoon, a 68-year-old woman was struck by a van while crossing the intersection of Highway 169 and Jefferson Street in Saint Peter. The Minnesota State Patrol says Debbie Lee Davis was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the van, 36-year-old Brandon Bradley Vonessen of Saint Peter, remained at the scene and was uninjured. Alcohol involvement is not suspected in this incident.
10:58 p.m. - Motorcycle Crash in Isanti County (Read more)
Later in the evening, Isanti County emergency crews responded to a motorcycle crash just west of Isanti near the intersection of County Road 5 Northwest & Holly Street Northwest where two riders were reportedly injured. A LifeLink helicopter ultimately transported one rider to a trauma center, where there current condition is unknown. MN CRIME has reached out to Isanti County authorities who expect an update will be provided on Monday.
11:53 p.m. - Serious Injury Crash In Shoreview (Read more)
Just before midnight, emergency crews were dispatched to a report of a crash on Hodgson Road, just south of County Road I in Shoreview. Arriving units found a two vehicle crash with one driver outside of a vehicle and had both legs amputated. Allina paramedics transported the man to a trauma center. Preliminary information indicates that impairment was not a factor. The Minnesota State Patrol was requested to perform a crash reconstruction.
These crashes remain under investigation. Stay with MN CRIME as updates become available.
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