Detroit Lakes, MN (June 3, 2026) – A two-vehicle crash left one person hurt Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 59 and Highway 34. The collision involved a 2009 Chevrolet Impala traveling northbound and a 2021 Subaru Ascent heading southbound on Highway 59.
Justin Alan Evans, 38, of Detroit Lakes, was the driver of the Impala, and he was taken to Essentia Hospital Detroit Lakes with non-life-threatening injuries. Evans was wearing a seat belt at the time, and alcohol was not suspected.
Avery Marie Hall, 21, of Audubon, was behind the wheel of the Ascent wit a 5-year-old male passenger, Aspen John Hall, both were buckled in at the time and resulted uninjured.
Road conditions were dry at the time of the wreck. The investigation is active, and further findings will be shared as they become available. We wish Evans a smooth and full recovery.
What Drivers Should Know About Intersection Crashes on State Highways in Minnesota
Crashes at highway intersections are among the more common types of collisions on rural state roads. When two vehicles traveling in opposite directions meet at a cross-highway junction, the risk of a side-angle or turning conflict increases significantly, especially at intersections without traffic signals or turn lanes.
Speed is a key factor in how serious these crashes turn out to be. Even when airbags do not deploy, the force of a collision between two vehicles at highway speeds can still result in meaningful injury to those inside, particularly if one or both drivers are caught off guard.
Seat belt use consistently reduces the severity of harm in these types of crashes. Minnesota law requires all front-seat occupants to wear seat belts, and child restraint rules apply to younger passengers regardless of seating position. Staying buckled remains one of the most reliable protections available in any roadway collision.
