61-year-old Tower woman dies after crash on Highway 169

A 61-year-old Tower woman is dead after a crash on Highway 169. The crash happened around 8 p.m. on October 21st at Northbound Highway 169 at Fireweed in Wuori Township. This is in-between Embarrass and Virginia.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a vehicle was blocking all lanes of Highway 169 with traffic backed up. The driver of a Ram 1500 was stopped waiting to continue when a car struck the truck from behind.

61-year-old Cathy Johnson was riding in the Chevy when it crashed into the truck. State Patrol officials say Johnson was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Alcohol was in the driver of the cars system at the time of the crash, according to the MSP.

Johnson as well as the other passenger of the car, were not under the influence of alcohol states officials.

The driver of the truck and his passengers face non-life threatening injuries. He was carrying three passengers, including a 14-year-old boy who is not facing any injuries.

St. Louis County Sheriff, Tower EMS, Virginia Fire and EMS and Britt Fire all helped assist with the crash. The Minnesota State Patrol notes wet road conditions at the time of the crash.