Field Township, MN (July 3, 2026) – A St. Louis County deputy and another driver were injured on Wednesday evening in a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Hwy 1 and Samuelson Rd in Field Township.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the collision occurred at about 7:48 p.m. A 2022 Ford Explorer operated by on-duty St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Brett William Lucas, 50, of Britt, was traveling west on Hwy 1 when a southbound 2008 Ford F-150 driven by 20-year-old Ayden Richard Houde of Orr failed to stop at a stop sign on Samuelson Rd. The two vehicles then collided.
Lucas sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Cook Hospital for treatment. Houde was taken to Essentia Hospital in Duluth with life-threatening injuries.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts, and airbags deployed in both vehicles. Alcohol was not suspected for the deputy, while the status for the pickup driver remained pending. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation as additional information is gathered.
Our thoughts are with both people involved, especially as the seriously injured driver receives medical care.
Why Stop Sign Intersections Are Frequently Examined After Serious Collisions
Collisions at stop sign intersections usually involve a review of whether drivers yielded the right of way before entering a highway. Investigators typically examine roadway signs, sight distance, vehicle paths, and any physical evidence left on the pavement.
Damage to the vehicles, debris patterns, and electronic data may also help establish the sequence of events. Weather, road conditions, and visibility are commonly evaluated to determine whether they contributed to the collision. These findings help explain how intersection crashes occur and why they can lead to severe injuries, particularly when one vehicle enters the path of another travelling at highway speeds.
