Updated: Fridley Woman, 85, Dies After Three-Car Crash on Hwy. 65

One woman from Fridley sustained fatal injuries and another woman from Fridley was seriously hurt Thursday morning in a three-car crash at 109th Avenue and Highway 65 in Blaine, according to the Blaine Police Department.  

The woman who died was 85 and a passenger in a Chevrolet Malibu which the other Fridley woman, 74, was driving, Blaine police said in a press release.

See also: Pedestrian Hurt in Apparent Hit-and-Run on Central Ave. at 53rd Ave.

The crash took place at about 10:45 a.m. Thursday—a day when light snow over icy spots made driving treachorous.

Here is the full text of the Blaine Police Department news release:

On Thursday, March 14, 2013 at approximately 10:47 AM Officers of The Blaine Police Department, with the assistance of the Spring Lake Park, Blaine, Mounds View (SBM) Fire Department and Allina Paramedics responded to a personal injury accident at the intersection of Hwy. 65 and 109th Avenue in the City of Blaine. Upon arrival, rescue personnel encountered a three-vehicle crash involving a Chevrolet Malibu, a Ford Taurus and a Hyundai Sonata passenger car. Extrication was necessary to remove the passenger of the Chevrolet Malibu.

The driver and lone occupant of the Ford Taurus, a 23 year-old male from Blaine, was belted and did not suffer any known injuries. The Driver of the Chevrolet Malibu, a 74 year-old female, from Fridley, suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Unity Hospital in Fridley. The passenger of the Chevrolet Malibu, an 85 year old female, also from the city of Fridley suffered critical injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids by ambulance. The passenger succumbed to her injuries and later died at the hospital. Both occupants of the Chevrolet Malibu were believed to have been wearing their seatbelts. The lone occupant of the Hyundai Sonata was belted and was not injured.

The initial investigation indicates the Chevrolet Malibu was in the turn lane from northbound Hwy. 65 to go westbound 109th Avenue, stopped at the red turn arrow. The Chevrolet Malibu proceeded into the intersection and was struck in the passenger side by the Ford Taurus, which was southbound Hwy. 65. Due to the collision between these two vehicles, the Chevrolet Malibu was forced into the eastbound Hyundai, which was stopped at a red light on 109th Avenue waiting to proceed across Hwy. 65; there was minor damage to the Hyundai Sonata. It is not believed that alcohol or drugs played a factor in the crash. Preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of the Chevrolet Malibu may have disobeyed the red turn arrow. The names of those involved are being withheld pending notification of their families.

The accident is currently under investigation by the Blaine Police Department, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol. No further information is being released at this time.

A posting about the crash at the Police Clips page on Facebook drew many comments stating that the intersection is particularly hazardous for drivers.