GRAND RAPIDS, MN — Two people were killed Sunday in a crash on Highway 169 south of Grand Rapids after a southbound Lexus and a northbound Ford Explorer collided near Victory Lane, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The drivers, McKenna Joy Christiansen, 24, of Luck, Wisconsin, and Carole Rose Wiss, 83, of Grand Rapids, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Grand Rapids police reported the serious crash around 1:30 p.m. The State Patrol said the collision happened at 12:28 p.m. and both drivers were wearing seatbelts.
How The Crash Unfolded
State Patrol investigators said the Lexus was traveling southbound on Highway 169 when it collided with the Ford Explorer heading north. The crash occurred near Victory Lane, just south of Grand Rapids.
Officials have not said what led to the collision. Alcohol is not suspected to have played a role at this time.
Road Closed For Investigation
Traffic was diverted away from the area to Airport Road and Harris Township Road while investigators worked the scene. That allowed authorities to examine the crash site and manage the flow of vehicles around the closure.
Several agencies responded, including the Minnesota State Patrol, Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Rapids Police Department, Grand Rapids Fire Department, Cohasset Fire Department, North Memorial Health Ambulance and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
What Officials Said
The State Patrol’s account is the main source of details so far, and no further information about possible charges or additional injuries was included in the report. The names and ages of both drivers were released as part of the initial crash information.
Authorities have not announced a timeline for any further findings from the investigation.
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