Shevlin Township, MN (September 6, 2026) – A two-vehicle crash happened at U.S. Highway 2 and County Road 23 at about 3:53 p.m. on Friday, September 4.
Alison Lynn Fletcher, 38, of Bagley, was driving a 2021 Buick Encore west on U.S. Highway 2. Mavis Betty Lou Hegg, 89, of Clearbrook, was driving a 2018 Toyota Camry south on County Road 23 when the vehicles came together.
Fletcher was injured and taken to Bemidji Sanford with non-life-threatening medical needs. Hegg was not hurt.
The circumstances leading to the wreck remain under review. We hope Fletcher makes a full recovery.
Rural Highway Intersections Create Distinct Cross-Traffic Risks
Rural intersections often connect higher-speed highways with smaller county roads. Drivers approaching from different directions may have limited time to judge another vehicle’s speed and distance before crossing or entering the main roadway.
Visibility can depend on road design, vegetation, hills, curves, signs, and the angle of each approach. Even on dry pavement, higher speeds can increase stopping distance and reduce the time available to react when another vehicle enters the crossing.
Vehicle size, seating position, restraint use, and the direction of force can also affect medical outcomes. Airbags may deploy in one vehicle but not another because sensors react to specific force levels and directions. These differences can help explain why occupants involved in the same roadway encounter may experience very different levels of harm.
