A head-on collision on Minnesota Highway 55 in Chippewa Falls Township has left a Glenwood woman dead and an 18-year-old man injured, as reported on Sunday night. According to KARE 11, a 2003 Honda Pilot and a 2010 Toyota Yaris collided, resulting in the fatality of 57-year-old Michelle Lee Kliber, whose vehicle was allegedly involved with alcohol.
The eastbound Honda, driven by Preston Koscheyev Linder, clashed head-on with Kliber's westbound Yaris. Linder sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Glacial Ridge Hospital. A Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) report obtained by KARE 11 noted that Kliber had been drinking before the incident.
Both drivers were confirmed to have been wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident, which occurred around 7:57 p.m., on wet road conditions. The incident drew a response from multiple departments, including the Glenwood Fire Department, Pope County Sheriff’s Office, and Glenwood Police Department.
According to the West Central Tribune, alcohol was not a factor for Linder, but was for Kliber, as per the accident report. The crash took place at mile marker 77, an area now marked by tragedy and a stark reminder of the perils that wet roads and impaired driving can present.
