A Monday morning crash on Highway 169 near Onamia left a Wahkon driver dead and sent another motorist to the hospital, adding to a worrying pattern on a busy stretch near Mille Lacs.
According to WJON, the collision happened just after 8 a.m. when a pickup traveling on northbound Highway 169 struck a car that was crossing the northbound lanes at Stevens Road. The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene, while the pickup driver was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
WJON reports that the Minnesota State Patrol has identified the driver of the car as 74-year-old Lynn Stalker of Wahkon. The pickup’s driver is 50-year-old Charlotte Hokkanen of Foley. Hokkanen was taken to Mille Lacs Health Care System for treatment.
What troopers said
The Minnesota State Patrol says the pickup was headed north in the right lane of Highway 169 as it approached Stevens Road when the car, which was traveling west on Stevens Road, began to cross the northbound lanes. The pickup then struck the car.
Troopers are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash and have not yet released information about any contributing factors.
A dangerous stretch of 169
This section of U.S. 169 near Mille Lacs has seen a series of serious wrecks in recent months, including a four-fatal crash earlier this year. That earlier tragedy has helped fuel renewed concern about safety on this two-lane segment of the highway.
Troopers say a full crash report will be released once their on-scene and follow-up work is complete. Anyone with information or dash-cam video that could aid investigators is asked to contact the State Patrol. For official crash information and State Patrol contacts, visit the Minnesota State Patrol.
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