1 dead, 2 seriously injured in Itasca County vehicle accident
Sep. 4—TACONITE — A vehicle accident left one dead and two with life-threatening injuries on Sunday evening in Itasca County.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, at 7:53 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 3, emergency personnel responded to a fatal accident along U.S. Highway 169 and Itasca County Road 7 in Taconite, about 10 miles northeast of Grand Rapids.
At the time of the crash, a Honda Civic driven by 35-year-old Matthew Reigel of Bigfork, Minn., was southbound on County Road 7 attempting to turn northbound on Highway 169 in Taconite.
Meanwhile, a Chevrolet Silverado hauling a fifth-wheel camper driven by 28-year-old Benjamin Ladoux of Pengilly, Minn., was southbound on Highway 169 approaching County Road 7.
Upon entering the Highway, the Civic was struck on the driver's side by the Silverado, leaving Reigel dead. Passengers 32-year-old Amber Johnston and 7-year-old Mekayla Bixby, both from Deer River, received life-threatening injuries and were transported to Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.
Ladoux received no serious injuries, according to the report.
Conditions were dry at the time of the crash, all parties were wearing their seat belts and alcohol is not believed to be a factor, the report said.
The Minnesota State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Taconite Fire Department, Greenway Fire Department, Itasca County Sheriff's Office, Bovey Police Department, Nashwauk Ambulance Service, Meds-1 Ambulance and Lifelink.
