One person was killed in a fiery accident on State Highway 61 near the Split Rock River in Lake County on Friday afternoon. The crash involved a semi-truck and two passenger vehicles, the Minnesota State Patrol reported.
Heavy weekend traffic was diverted through the rest stop and Superior Hiking Trail entry area near the crash site, which is just southwest of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Highway 61 reopened just before 7 p.m., nearly 6 hours after the 1 p.m. accident.
According to the State Patrol, a person driving northbound in a 2005 Mini Cooper was slowing to turn into the rest area when the 2011 Hyundai trailing it struck it from behind and pushed the Mini Cooper into the southbound lane and into the path of a semi-trailer.
The Mini Cooper burst into flames, as did the cab of the semi. The driver of the Mini Cooper was pronounced dead on the scene.
The semi driver, James Hawkinson, 54, of Elk River, Minn., was treated and released from Lake View Memorial Hospital in Two Harbors. The condition of the Hyundai driver -- Mark Reed, 54, of Abilene, Texas -- wasn't known. His passenger, Karen Reed, 53, also was treated and released from Lake View Memorial Hospital.
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Lake County Sheriff's Office deputies assisted at the scene along with county ambulance and rescue teams.
