Erie Township, MN (May 25, 2026) – A two-vehicle crash on Sunday, May 24, left one person injured at the intersection of Highway 34 and County Road 29 in Erie Township, Becker County. The wreck occurred just after 8:00 p.m. under dry road conditions.
A 2007 Chrysler Town & Country, driven by John Edward Grady, 50, of Fergus Falls, was heading westbound on Highway 34. A 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Julius Isaac Conklin, 18, of Detroit Lakes, was traveling northbound on County Road 29. The two vehicles collided at the intersection.
Grady suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to St. Mary’s. Conklin was not hurt and did not require hospital care. Neither alcohol nor seatbelt non-compliance were factors for either driver, both were belted at the time of the collision.
Emergency units responded to the scene. The accident is still under review, and additional findings will be shared as they become available. We wish Grady a smooth and full recovery.
What Drivers Should Know About Intersection Safety on Rural Minnesota Roads
Intersections between state highways and county roads are among the more unpredictable stretches of rural roadway. Traffic traveling at highway speeds often meets cross-traffic from lower-volume county roads, where stop signs or yield controls may be the only regulation in place. Drivers approaching these junctions may not always have a clear sightline due to crops, terrain, or low lighting, especially in the evening hours. Right-of-way errors are a leading cause of rural intersection crashes in Minnesota. Slowing down when approaching an uncontrolled or lightly controlled intersection, even on a familiar route, can significantly reduce the risk of a serious collision. Dry conditions can create a false sense of security, as stopping distances and reaction time still depend on driver alertness and speed.
