Duluth, Minnesota – One person has died and another has suffered life-threatening injuries following a wrong-way collision on Interstate 35 in Duluth, Minnesota, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The crash occurred at approximately 6:20 a.m. Friday, north of Cody Street near Thompson Hill. Preliminary information indicates that a Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck was travelling north in the southbound lanes when it collided with an oncoming Mazda CX-5 SUV.
The pickup’s driver, a 74-year-old man from Duluth, died at the scene. The SUV’s driver, a 35-year-old Duluth resident identified in local reporting as Joseph Hartman, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. <
Authorities have not yet established why the pickup was travelling in the wrong direction. The circumstances leading up to the collision remain under investigation.
Traffic Disruption on Interstate 35
The crash caused significant traffic congestion during the Friday morning commute, with vehicles backing up near the collision site. Motorists travelling through the area were advised to consider alternative routes while emergency responders and investigators worked at the scene.
Interstate 35 is a major transport corridor through Duluth, connecting the city with communities across Minnesota and beyond. A serious collision on the route can affect commuters, commercial traffic and other travellers moving through the region.
Drivers should check current road conditions and official traffic alerts before travelling, as conditions can change while response and investigation work continues.
Investigation Underway
The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the fatal crash. Officials have not announced a cause, and further details may emerge as investigators examine the vehicles and reconstruct the collision.
The name of the deceased driver was being withheld pending notification of relatives, according to initial reports.
Latest Update
As of October 16, one driver was confirmed dead and the other remained hospitalised with life-threatening injuries. The cause of the wrong-way driving has not been established.
This report will be updated when authorities release further verified information.