Mountain Iron, MN (May 22, 2026) – A two-vehicle collision on southbound Hwy 169 at Rock Ridge Dr left one person hurt on Wednesday, May 20, at approximately 1:38 p.m. Both airbags deployed in the vehicles involved.
Brian Mark Lillis, 67, of Eveleth, MN, was driving a 2021 Ford F-150 northbound on Hwy 169 and attempting a left turn onto Rock Ridge Dr when his truck made contact with a southbound 2026 Dodge Durango. Lillis was taken to a hospital in Duluth with non-life-threatening injuries. He was wearing a seat belt, and alcohol was not suspected.
The Durango was driven by Jeffrey Allen Swanson, 67, with Sherill Ann Swanson, 67, as passenger. Fortunately, neither was hurt as both were wearing seat belts, and alcohol was not suspected. Road conditions at the time of the accident were dry. The wreck remains under review, and more details may follow as the process concludes.
We are glad the injuries were not life-threatening and wish Brian Lillis a smooth recovery.
What Makes Left-Turn Crashes at Rural Highway Intersections So Common in Minnesota?
Left-turn crashes are among the most frequent types of collisions at intersections on two-lane and multi-lane highways. When a driver turns left across oncoming traffic, the window to judge speed and distance must be precise, and even a slight miscalculation can lead to a serious crash. On rural highways like those in northern Minnesota, vehicles usually travel at higher speeds than in urban areas, which leaves less time to react.
Dry road conditions don’t eliminate the risk, since crash frequency at these intersections is driven more by the geometry of the turn and traffic speed than by weather. Airbag deployment in both vehicles during this type of side-impact or front-angle collision is not uncommon, and it frequently plays a role in reducing the severity of injuries for the people inside.
