Bemidji, MN (August 31, 2026) – Two drivers were injured when three vehicles collided at the intersection of Cardinal Rd and Hwy 2 in Beltrami County.
The collision occurred at about 1:29 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, on westbound Hwy 2 near milepost 110. A 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Jodi Lynn Cardinal, 57, of Bagley, was traveling eastbound, while a 2019 Hyundai Tucson driven by Linda Lu Berge, 64, also of Bagley, was traveling westbound.
A 2011 Kia Soul driven by Jerricho Cayne Thompson, 23, of Bemidji, was stopped at the Cardinal Rd stop sign. One vehicle failed to yield at the intersection, leading to the three-vehicle accident. Cardinal was injured and taken to Sanford Hospital in Bemidji for treatment. Berge was also injured but did not require hospital care.
Emergency units assisted at the site. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the wreck remains underway.
Our thoughts are with those hurt as they recover from their injuries.
What Information Is Reviewed After a Multi-Vehicle Road Accident?
A multi-vehicle accident can involve several factors that need to be examined before the full sequence becomes clear. Investigators may review traffic signs, right-of-way rules, vehicle positions, and roadway markings. Photos and video from nearby businesses or passing motorists may also provide useful information.
Vehicle damage can help show where contact occurred and how the vehicles moved afterwards. Seat belt use, airbag deployment, and medical records may also become part of the available documentation when people are injured. Weather and pavement conditions can provide additional context, especially when visibility or traction may affect driving. Witness accounts can help establish what each driver was doing before the accident.
