Major Accident! 18 Wheeler Hits Mini Copper Head On! AfterMath! Fire!

I drove by about an hour after it happened.

From the Duluth News Tribune

The victim in the Friday crash on Minnesota Highway 61 near the Split Rock River was Sandee Heurung, 53, of Vadnais Heights, Minn.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Heurung was driving a 2005 Mini Cooper north on 61 just before 1 p.m. and attempted to make a left turn into the trailhead parking area for the Split Rock River loop of the Superior Hiking Trail. She was struck from behind by another vehicle, a 2011 Hyundai. The Mini Cooper was pushed into the southbound lane and was struck broadside by a semi.

The truck pushed the car back into the northbound lane and pinned it to the guard rail. The car and truck started on fire.

Heurung, a native of White Bear Lake, Minn., was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver, James Hawkinson, 54, of Elk River, Minn., was treated and released from Lake View Memorial Hospital in Two Harbors. The driver of the Hyundai, Mark Reed, 54, of Abilene, Texas, was unhurt. His passenger, Karen Reed, 53, was treated and released from the Two Harbors hospital.

Traffic was diverted through the rest-stop area and the road fully reopened just before 7 p.m.

Lake County Sheriff's Office deputies and emergency responders were also at the scene Friday.

A friend of Heurung said she was active in the school and community and her generosity will be missed. A funeral takes place Friday in White Bear Lake. She is survived by husband, Jeff, and two sons, Josh and Jake. She also is survived by her mother, Joyce Brandl, of Hugo, Minn.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Major
• Accident!
• 18
• Wheeler
• Hits
• Mini
• Copper
• Head
• On!
• AfterMath!
• Fire!

[TexasToast09]

@shariworkman Yes it was, we drove by after it happened. I drove all the way from South Texas, I was going to be brothers wedding. The accident was a reminder that we all can go at any moment.

[shariworkman]

This was a horrible accident; my husband and I were down by the lake taking pictures of the lake when it happened. Husband Tried to rescue the woman in the mini coop but the smoke and fire were too much. :(