HAZELTON TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A 34-year-old woman died Friday evening when two vehicles collided at the intersection of northbound Highway 169 and Tame Fish Lake Road.
Maggie May Spychalla of Hazelton Township was driving a 2015 GMC Acadia northbound on U.S. Highway 169 at around 7:13 p.m. The vehicle was hauling a fish house.
An 18-year-old man driving a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 was traveling east on Tame Fish Lake Road. The driver entered the intersection of U.S. 169 when the vehicles collided in the northbound lanes.
Spychalla was wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred. Paramedics transported her to Essentia Health where she died from her injuries.
Six passengers in Spychalla’s vehicle sustained non-life threatening injuries. A 39-year-old male, a 17-year-old male, a 14-year-old male, an 11-year-old female, a 9-year-old female, and a 3-year-old male were all transported to Essentia Health.
The 18-year-old driver sustained non-life threatening injuries. An 18-year-old male passenger also suffered non-life threatening injuries. Both were transported to Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.
Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the accident.
Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office, local police and fire departments, Lifelink Aire Care, and North Memorial Ambulance responded to the scene.
The Minnesota State Patrol continues to investigate the cause.
