Traffic in the northbound lane of Highway 371 had to be detoured while emergency personnel worked Wednesday morning at a two-vehicle crash that left one of the vehicles on its side.
The crash, reported at 8:18 a.m., happened in front of Crow Wing Power, north of Baxter.
The Minnesota State Patrol said both drivers were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
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Hwy. 371 accident by Crow Wing Power - 55 Photos - Click here to view
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Crow Wing Power workers Chad Ronnebaun and Mike Pietrowski were among the employees who were outside in the parking lot when they heard a loud noise. Ronnebaun saw a Ford Ranger spin out of control a couple of times. He said he rushed to the truck to see if the driver was OK. He said he talked with him to try to keep him calm.
Pietrowski said they also helped direct traffic off the highway to the frontage road in front of Crow Wing Power until emergency responders arrived.
Brainerd firefighters surrounded the pickup truck, where the driver, Damus Matros, 82, Longville, was trapped. Firefighters had to extricate, pulling the roof off the truck to free Matros. First responders checked Matros out on scene and then he was taken by North Memorial Ambulance to Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd for non-life-threatening injuries.
The state patrol stated the Ford was entering Highway 371 from the westbound driveway from Crow Wing Power and was struck by a Chevrolet Malibu traveling in the northbound lane of Highway 371. The Malibu crashed and ended in the ditch between the four-lane highway, right side up and had front end damage. The Ford ended up on its side as a result of the collision.
Brittney L. Boeder, 22, Brainerd, was driving the Malibu. She was taken to a hospital by private vehicle, the state patrol said.
The state patrol was assisted by the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office and Nisswa Police Department.
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JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5851. Follow me at www.twitter.com/jennewsgirl on Twitter.
