TOWER — An Ely woman suffered life-threatening injuries in a two-vehicle crash at the Y-Store corner on Highway 169 Monday afternoon.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 2016 Ford Escape driven by 74-year-old Linda Sue Johnson of Ely was traveling east on Angus Rd./CSAH 77 and turned north onto Highway 169 when it was struck on the side by a southbound 2006 Cadillac DTS at about 4 p.m.
Johnson, who was wearing her seat belt, was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth with life-threatening injuries. The State Patrol reported that airbags deployed in her vehicle.
The driver of the Cadillac, 40-year-old Jordan Edward Gall of Blaine, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Virginia Essentia Health. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the report.
Traffic on Highway 169 was shut down for an extended period following the crash as emergency crews worked at the scene.
Alcohol and road conditions were not factors in the crash.
Responding agencies included the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Tower Fire Department, Virginia Fire Department, and LifeLink air ambulance.