Ball Bluff Twp, MN (June 7, 2026) – One person was hurt in a two-vehicle wreck on Highway 200 in Aitkin County on Saturday, June 6.
Minnesota State Police responded to the scene and reported the crash happened at about 10:30 a.m. near milepost 191 in Ball Bluff Township. A 2019 Chrysler Pacifica and a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria were both traveling westbound on Highway 200 when the Pacifica slowed to turn into a wayside rest area. The Crown Victoria then struck the rear of the van.
The Pacifica was driven by 50-year-old Michelle Lea Barnett of Remer. She received non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Grand Itasca for treatment. The Crown Victoria driver, 45-year-old Mark Douglas Beveridge of Swatara, was not injured.
Investigators reported that road conditions were dry at the time. Both drivers were wearing seat belts, and alcohol was not suspected as a factor. Airbags deployed in the Ford but not in the Chrysler.
The cause of the collision is still being reviewed as investigators gather and examine additional information. We hope the person receiving treatment makes a full and speedy recovery.
How Rear-End Crashes Often Occur on Rural Highways
Rear-end crashes are among the most common types of roadway collisions. They frequently happen when one vehicle slows or stops to make a turn, enter a driveway, or pull into a rest area while a following driver does not have enough time or distance to react.
Several factors can contribute to these crashes, including following too closely, distraction, reduced attention to traffic changes ahead, or misjudging the speed of another vehicle. Even at moderate speeds, occupants can experience neck, back, and other injuries because of the sudden force involved.
Investigators typically review vehicle positions, roadway characteristics, driver statements, and physical evidence to determine how a rear-end crash occurred. Seat belt use and airbag deployment are also examined because they can affect injury outcomes and provide additional insight into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
