Chippewa County, MN (July 7, 2026) – A 47-year-old Milan woman died, and five children were hurt in a two-vehicle crash at Highway 59 and County Road 32 in Kragero Township on Sunday, July 5. The collision was reported at 6:46 p.m.
A 2015 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Makrina Seilap of Milan was traveling northbound on County Road 32 when it collided with a southbound 2022 Ram 2500 driven by 22-year-old Isaac Alfred Greenhagen of Maple Lake. Seilap was transported to North Memorial Hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Four children riding in the Traverse, an 8-year-old girl from Milan, a 13-year-old girl, a 10-year-old boy, and a 7-year-old boy, all from Appleton, were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. A second 7-year-old from Appleton was also hurt and taken to Montevideo Hospital.
Greenhagen was not hurt. His passenger, 37-year-old Dairi Cortezdacosta, was taken to Montevideo Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No alcohol was suspected for either driver.
The accident remains under active investigation. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Makrina Seilap.
What Happens When Children Are Injured in a Rural Highway Crash?
Children involved in serious highway crashes require a different medical response than adult patients, since their smaller size and still-developing bodies can make certain injuries harder to detect from outward signs alone. Internal trauma, head injuries, and spinal concerns are all evaluated carefully, even when a child appears to be moving and responsive at the scene. Pediatric trauma protocols guide how emergency units assess and stabilize young patients before transport.
When multiple children are hurt in the same crash, triage becomes especially important. Each child may sustain different injuries depending on their seating position and how the collision unfolded, and not all nearby hospitals are equally equipped to handle pediatric cases. Emergency units coordinate with receiving facilities in advance to ensure each patient is directed to the most appropriate level of care available.
Rural intersection crashes that result in fatalities and multiple injuries draw a large multi-agency response. Fire departments, ambulance services, and law enforcement from surrounding communities are frequently called in to assist when the number of patients exceeds what a single responding unit can manage. This kind of coordinated effort is especially common in rural counties where resources are spread across a wide geographic area.
