Two die in head-on crash along icy highway in SE Minnesota
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Two people died Friday when their pickup truck collided with a semi head-on amid icy conditions along U.S. Highway 61 in southeast Minnesota.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported that the crash happened along a two-lane stretch of the highway, a few miles southeast of Lake City.
Authorities said the southbound 2003 Ford pickup crossed the center line and hit the northbound Freightliner semi and trailer just after 11:30 a.m.
The driver of the pickup — 58-year-old Gary Johnson of Lake City — and a passenger — 59-year-old Cheryl Schleicher, also of Lake City — died from their injuries.
The driver of the semi, a 58-year-old Rochester man, suffered what the Patrol said were non-life-threatening injuries.
The Patrol said there was snow and ice on the highway at the time of the crash. The area saw 6 to 8 inches of snow from Thursday into early Friday.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.