Thief River Falls Drive-Thru Crash Reported

Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — Police received a report of a two-vehicle crash on July 20. The collision happened at 3:49 p.m. in the Dairy Queen parking lot.

The crash occurred in the restaurant’s drive-thru lane. Patricia Berberena of Red Lake Falls was stopped in a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. John Geske of Thief River Falls was driving a 2022 GMC Sierra behind her.

According to the report, Geske’s pickup rear-ended Berberena’s sport utility vehicle. The report did not describe what caused the pickup to move forward.

No Injuries Reported

Police said no injuries were known after the collision. The brief report did not mention ambulance transport or emergency medical treatment.

No other vehicles were listed in the report. Police also did not release damage estimates for either vehicle.

The crash happened during the afternoon, when restaurant parking lots can have steady traffic. Drive-thru lanes often require drivers to stop and move forward several times.

Drive-Thru Safety Reminder

Drivers should leave enough space between vehicles in these lanes. Extra room can help prevent low-speed rear-end crashes.

Motorists should also avoid phones and other distractions. Even a brief distraction can reduce reaction time in a crowded parking lot.

Drivers involved in a minor crash should move to a safe area when possible. They should exchange contact and insurance information after checking for injuries.

Photos of vehicle damage can help document the scene. Drivers should also note the time, location, and weather conditions.

Traffic safety information is available from the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety. Drivers can also review general information through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Dairy Queen operates restaurants across Minnesota and the United States. Customers can find official company information through its website.

The July 20 crash remains listed as a property-damage incident with no known injuries. No further details were included in the public summary.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.