Smiley Township Crash Injures Two on Highway 59
SMILEY TOWNSHIP, Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) — Two people were injured Sunday morning in a two-vehicle crash in Pennington County.
The crash happened at 11:34 a.m. on June 14, 2026. It occurred at U.S. Highway 59 and 130th Street NE in Smiley Township.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox was traveling east on 130th Street NE. A 1980 Triumph TR-7 was traveling south on U.S. Highway 59.
The two vehicles collided at the intersection.
Two People Taken To Sanford Hospital
Wayne Howard Morris, 79, of Brainerd, was driving the Triumph TR-7. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Joan Frances Ostenson, 75, of Crystal, was a passenger in the Triumph. She also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Both Morris and Ostenson were taken to Sanford Hospital for care.
Third Driver Not Hurt
Barbara Nelson, 88, of Thief River Falls, was driving the Chevrolet Equinox. She was not injured.
Authorities said airbags deployed in both vehicles. All three people were wearing seat belts.
Alcohol was not suspected in the crash.
The road was dry at the time of the collision.
Agencies Responded To The Scene
Several local agencies helped at the crash scene. They included Thief River Falls Police, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Thief River Falls Fire Department, and Sanford Ambulance.
The Minnesota State Patrol listed the report as complete. The report was last updated at 2:40 p.m. on June 14, 2026.
More crash and road safety information is available from the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota 511 road information site.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
