Woman, 79, Dies in Head-On Marshall County Crash

Apr 24

A 79-year-old woman from Karlstad died this afternoon following a two-vehicle, head-on collision on Highway 59 in Marshall County.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the incident occurred around 12:48 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, at the intersection of Highway 59 and 340th Street Northwest in New Folden Township.

The woman was driving a 2021 Ford Escape southbound when she collided head-on with a northbound 2014 Western Star semi-truck.

The Escape’s airbags deployed from the crash impact and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity is being withheld pending family notification and as of publication, it’s unknown if she was wearing a seat belt. The roadway was reported to be dry at the time.

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The semi-truck driver, identified as 64-year-old Robert Allan Benson, of Mahnomen, was not injured. He was wearing a seat belt and authorities confirmed he was not impaired. It is still unclear if the driver of the Ford Escape may have suffered a medical incident or what might have led up to the fatal collision. More info is expected when the State Patrol identifies her Friday.

Responding agencies included the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Tri-County EMS and the Newfolden Fire Department. The State Patrol continues to investigate the crash.

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