A vehicle crash in St. Louis leaves one dead and one injured

On Friday, August 12th, 2022 at approximately 11:32 P.M. the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Babbitt Police Department, the MN State Patrol, and area first responders were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash with injuries in the 5500 Blk of Hwy 21 in Embarrass Township, which is West of the intersection of Hwy 21 and Hwy 135.

A passenger car traveling eastbound on Hwy 21 was struck head-on by a pickup truck driven by a 40 yr old male from Virginia, MN, who was driving westbound. The driver and lone occupant of the passenger car was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

It appears that the driver of the pickup truck had crossed over the centerline of Hwy 21 into the oncoming traffic lane in a curve striking the passenger car. The driver of the truck received non-life threatening injuries and was subsequently transported to an area Duluth hospital for treatment of those injuries.

Alcohol was a major factor in the crash. The driver of the pickup truck is facing charges of Criminal Vehicular Homicide, in addition to crimes relating to Driving Under the Influence upon his release from the hospital.

The victim has been identified as Joni Dahl, 39, from rural Eveleth, MN.

The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the MN State Patrol.