Fatal Crash Briefly Closes Highway 61 at Manning Avenue in Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Photo credit Bruce Karnick/Hastings Journal
Updated at 8 AM on Thursday, July 11th
July 11th Update
We have learned that 87-year-old Hazel Johnson of Hastings, Minnesota, was the driver and lone occupant of the Camaro that passed away in the crash on Tuesday afternoon. Minnesota State Patrol states that Johnson was unbelted/unrestrained when the accident occurred.
The other driver in the Ram Pickup was a 37-year-old male from Hastings, Minnesota. They report that he received non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the crash.
ORIGINAL STORY - COTTAGE GROVE, MINNESOTA: A tragic accident in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, briefly closed Highway 61 at Manning Avenue and caused significant traffic delays around 2:45 PM on Tuesday afternoon. The Cottage Grove and Hastings Fire Departments responded to reports of a serious two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Manning Avenue and Highway 61.
The Minnesota State Patrol has confirmed that the incident was fatal. The collision occurred when a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro, traveling northbound on Highway 61, proceeded through a left-turn red arrow at Highway 95. A 2015 Dodge Ram pickup, traveling southbound on Highway 61 with a green light, broadsided the Camaro on the passenger side.
The driver of the 2015 Dodge Ram pickup, a 37-year-old male from Hastings, MN, had his airbag deployed during the crash. The driver of the 2020 Chevrolet Camaro was an 87-year-old female from Hastings, MN. It is unknown if their airbags went off. It has been confirmed that the fatality involved an unbelted or unrestrained occupant, but it has not been confirmed yet which vehicle that was or the injuries sustained to the driver in the other vehicle. As a result of the crash, southbound Highway 61 was briefly closed at the Manning Avenue (Highway 95) intersection. Then it was reduced to a single lane until about 6:30 PM while the investigation continued.
We will provide further updates as more information becomes available. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
Written by: Will Wight
Coverage Photo Credit: Bruce Karnick/Hastings Journal
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