VINELAND — Four people died and one person was critically injured after a head-on crash Wednesday night, Feb. 25, near Grand Casino Mille Lacs.
The crash on Highway 169 is the state’s deadliest in nearly three years.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported a northbound 2004 Buick LeSabre with one occupant crossed the center line of the highway near Shakopee Lake Road and struck a southbound 2005 Saab sedan with four people inside.
The driver of the Buick — Samantha J. Ajax, 21, of Isle — and three of the four people in the Saab suffered fatal injuries. They were driver Michelle M. Rock, 53, Minneapolis; Christopher A. Boswell, 41, Onamia; and James A. Ortley, 51, Minneapolis. Jessica F. Mitchell, 25, of Onamia, suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital.
According to the state patrol, none of the people in the Saab were wearing seatbelts. It was unknown whether Ajax wore one. The road was dry at the time of the crash.
Assisting at the scene were the Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office, Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department, Mille Lacs Health System Ambulance, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Ambulance and North Memorial Health Air Care.
It’s the second deadly crash on that stretch of highway in two days.
50-year-old Nicole Freeman of Garrison was killed Tuesday morning after losing control of a 2003 Subaru Impreza on the ice-covered road and T-boning a 2016 Kia Sorento. The driver of the Kia — Leslie J. Gahbow, 42, of Isle — suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
-
Lorie Shaull/KAXENoska was nominated for North Star Student because of her amazing tennis career — and the fact she's got one more season of fun and achievement ahead of her. -
Plus: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources awards Cass Lake conservation officer as 2025 officer of the year; and the high school boys hockey tourney is underway. -
Contributed/Community Presbyterian ChurchEveryone is invited to a sing-along for unity and healing at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids. -
Contributed/Emily BujoldKAXE kicks off its 50th birthday year with locally produced beers from Klockow Brewing in Grand Rapids, Bemidji Brewing in Bemidji and Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter. -
Contributed/Park Rapids Police DepartmentIn a March 5, 2026, update, owner Molly Luther wrote that authorities determined the phone call came from outside the community and there was no ongoing threat. -
Contributed/Hibbing School DistrictPreK-first students will attend Washington Elementary, while Lincoln Elementary will transition to second-fifth grades. Sixth graders will move up to Hibbing High School. -
During the Phenology Report for the week of March 3, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on brooding Bald Eagles and anticipates seeing migratory birds in March. -
In this episode, co-hosts Malachy Koons and Charlie Mitchell anticipate the migratory marvels of March and discuss the sounds of dinosaurs.Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe! -
Screenshot/C-SPAN via YouTubeThe hearing took place amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and a weeks-long partial shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as Democrats try to force changes to the administration’s immigration policy. -
Andrew Dziengel/KAXEThe Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids was named as one of the recipients of the spring 2025 grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
