Two people from International Falls died and two Illinois residents were injured in a head-on crash Thursday on U.S. Highway 53 in northern St. Louis County.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported that a Ford pickup was traveling north on Highway 53, about 25 miles south of International Falls, when it crossed the center line and struck a southbound Pontiac Grand Am about 7:45 a.m. Thursday.
Both occupants of the Grand Am -- the 24-year-old man driving and a 23-year-old female passenger, both from International Falls -- died at the scene, the Patrol reported. Their names have not yet been released.
The driver of the pickup, Burton Pinchuk, 68, of Naperville, Ill., and a passenger, Glen Wegworth, 69, of McHenry, Ill., were transported to Rainy Lake Medical Center in International Falls, then flown to Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.
Pinchuk was taken from the scene in critical condition, the Patrol reported. Wegworth's injuries were classified as non-life-threatening. Both men were wearing seat belts.
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The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office was among the agencies at the scene.
