Hinckley, MN (August 5, 2025) – First responders, including paramedics, assessed and treated individuals hurt in the crash following a two-vehicle collision on westbound Hwy 48 at Weber Ave in Pine County. The incident was reported at approximately 8:44 p.m. and involved a 2017 Jeep Cherokee and a 1987 Chevrolet Astro van.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, both vehicles were traveling westbound on Hwy 48— the Jeep in the left lane and the Chevy in the right. The driver of the Chevy, identified as 34-year-old Autumn Sonnenberg of Luck, WI, abruptly changed lanes and sideswiped the Jeep. While most of the occupants were unharmed, one passenger in the Jeep, 43-year-old Krista Leigh Fox of Hinckley, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Welia Health for treatment.
The crash occurred under dry road conditions. Hinckley Fire Department, Pine County Sheriff’s Office, and Essentia Ambulance provided emergency support at the scene. No airbags were deployed in either vehicle, and alcohol was not a factor in the incident.
Our thoughts are with Krista Fox, and we wish her a smooth and full recovery.
Two-Vehicle Collisions in Pine County and Driver Awareness
Crashes involving abrupt lane changes are a recurring safety issue on rural highways like Hwy 48 in Pine County. With both local and through traffic traveling at high speeds, unexpected maneuvers can quickly lead to serious consequences. In this case, a sudden lane change resulted in a sideswipe crash that injured a local resident.
Minnesota traffic safety data shows that sideswipe collisions are among the most common types of crashes on two-lane and multi-lane roads, particularly when drivers fail to check blind spots or use turn signals properly. Even when road conditions are ideal, driver decisions remain a critical factor in crash prevention.
Residents and travelers in Pine County are encouraged to drive attentively and avoid last-second maneuvers, especially when traffic is flowing at highway speeds. These simple precautions can help reduce the risk of injury for everyone on the road.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a crash, reach out to Local Accident Reports for assistance.
