Baxter, MN (January 8, 2026) – A three-vehicle crash on northbound Highway 371 near Pine Beach Rd in Baxter left several people injured Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 7:36 a.m. on January 8 and involved a Ford F150, a Jeep Patriot, and a box truck.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a Ford F150 that was traveling in the left turn lane attempted to merge back into the left traffic lane when it collided with a Jeep Patriot. The impact caused the Jeep to then strike a box truck that was also traveling northbound.
Brainerd Fire, North Ambulance, Baxter Police Department, and the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash scene, which occurred on snow- and ice-covered roads.
Emergency responders assessed and treated several individuals at the scene. The 40-year-old male driver of the Jeep Patriot, Calvin Emmet Crouse of Baxter, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was not transported to a medical facility. Three young passengers in the same vehicle—a 9-year-old boy, a 7-year-old boy, and a 6-year-old girl—were also reported to have non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd for treatment.
The driver of the Ford F150, 65-year-old David Edward Crust of Brainerd, was also reported to have non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
The driver of the 2021 International box truck, 53-year-old Jason Leon Conner of Aitkin, was not injured.
All parties were wearing seat belts, and no alcohol was involved in the crash. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
Our thoughts are with those injured in this multi-vehicle crash as they recover.
