ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN – (trfnews.i234.me) – A Soudan woman was injured Monday evening after an unidentified driver sideswiped a pickup on Highway 169 and fled the scene.
Kathleen Marie Salmela, 69, of Soudan, suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the November 9, 2026, collision.
The crash occurred around 5:48 p.m. near mile marker 371 on Highway 169 in northeastern Minnesota.
Authorities reported that the driver responsible for the collision left the scene.
Unknown Driver Passes in No-Passing Zone
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 2023 Dodge Ram was traveling northbound on Highway 169.
The pickup was driven by Gary Martin Salmela, 77, of Soudan.
Investigators reported that an unidentified vehicle was traveling southbound on the highway.
The unknown driver attempted to pass another vehicle in an area marked as a no-passing zone.
During the maneuver, the southbound vehicle sideswiped the northbound Dodge Ram.
The unknown vehicle continued away from the crash scene.
Passenger Injured in Collision
Kathleen Salmela was riding as a passenger in the Dodge Ram when the collision occurred.
She suffered injuries classified as non-life-threatening by the Minnesota State Patrol.
The crash report lists Essentia Health in Virginia as her medical facility.
Authorities did not provide details about her specific injuries or condition following treatment.
Gary Salmela was not reported injured in the collision.
Both occupants were wearing seat belts when the vehicles made contact.
Pickup’s Airbags Deploy
The impact caused airbags to deploy inside the Dodge Ram.
Investigators reported that the roadway was dry at the time of the crash.
Alcohol was not suspected as a contributing factor for the Dodge’s occupants.
The State Patrol did not release an estimate of the damage to the pickup.
Unidentified Vehicle Leaves Scene
The vehicle that sideswiped the Dodge Ram was not identified in the initial crash report.
Authorities did not provide its make, model, color, or license plate information.
The report lists only the Dodge Ram among the documented vehicles.
However, the crash description confirms that another vehicle was involved and fled the scene.
No information about the unidentified driver’s identity or possible charges was included in the report.
Emergency Agencies Respond
The Minnesota State Patrol received assistance from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia Fire Department, and Virginia EMS.
The State Patrol’s Virginia District handled the crash investigation.
The incident was documented under case number 26311343.
Officials last updated the report at 7:43 p.m. Monday, November 9.
The exact municipality was not identified in the report.
Additional information is available through the official Minnesota State Patrol crash report.
Motorists can also check Minnesota 511 for highway conditions and traffic alerts.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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