The victim in the Friday crash on Minnesota Highway 61 near the Split Rock River was Sandee Heurung, 53, of Vadnais Heights, Minn., family and friends have confirmed.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Heurung was driving a 2005 Mini Cooper north on Highway 61 just before 1 p.m. and attempted to make a left turn into the trailhead parking area for the Split Rock River loop of the Superior Hiking Trail. She was struck from behind by another vehicle, a 2011 Hyundai. The Mini Cooper was pushed into the southbound lane and was struck broadside by a semi.
The truck pushed the car back into the northbound lane and pinned it to the guard rail. The car and truck started on fire.
Heurung, a native of White Bear Lake, Minn., was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver, James Hawkinson, 54, of Elk River, Minn., was treated and released from Lake View Memorial Hospital in Two Harbors. The driver of the Hyundai, Mark Reed, 54, of Abilene, Texas, was unhurt. His passenger, Karen Reed, 53, was treated and released from the Two Harbors hospital.
Traffic was diverted through the rest-stop area and the road fully reopened just before 7 p.m.
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Lake County Sheriff's Office deputies and emergency responders also were at the scene Friday.
