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Multiple Injured in Highway 65 Crash in Blaine
BLAINE, MN — A Sunday evening collision on one of Minnesota’s most dangerous roadways left an elderly driver critically injured and two young passengers hospitalized, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The crash happened around 7:20 p.m. on Sept. 21 at the intersection of southbound Highway 65 and 109th Avenue NE. Investigators said a 2008 Honda Accord turning westbound onto 109th collided with a 2004 Buick LeSabre.
Critical Injuries Reported
The Buick’s driver, identified by the State Patrol as 74-year-old Randy Allen Kessel of Braham, suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. Two 12-year-old girls riding in the Buick — one from Mora and another from an unspecified city — were also taken to Mercy with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
All three were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
Teen Driver Escapes Injury
The Honda Accord was driven by a 17-year-old girl from Coon Rapids. A 17-year-old male passenger, also from Coon Rapids, was in the vehicle. Neither teenager was injured. Authorities confirmed that all parties involved were belted and that alcohol was not a factor. Airbags deployed in both vehicles.
Dangerous Corridor in Focus
The crash occurred at an intersection along Highway 65 that local and state officials have long flagged as a high-risk corridor. The stretch of roadway through Blaine has a crash rate reported to be up to eight times higher than the state average, with 109th Avenue NE identified as one of the most hazardous intersections.
Safety concerns have spurred years of planning for improvements designed to reduce collisions and improve traffic flow. While some upgrades have been implemented, major reconstruction efforts for the corridor remain under development.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Blaine police and fire crews, along with Allina Ambulance, assisted at the scene. The Minnesota State Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
