Thief River Falls Crash Sends Two to Hospital
THIEF RIVER FALLS (trfnews.i234.me) — Police received a crash report at 2:35 p.m. on June 17.
The crash happened at Duluth Avenue and Fifth Street in Thief River Falls.
Emily Tinkham, of Thief River Falls, was driving a 2019 GMC Acadia north on Duluth Avenue.
Arlene Newman, of Strathcona, was driving a 2008 Buick Lucerne east toward the same intersection.
The vehicles collided as both drivers entered or traveled through the intersection, according to the report.
Tinkham was traveling north, while Newman was traveling east, before the vehicles made contact.
The report did not say which vehicle entered the intersection first.
SUV Struck Light Pole
The impact pushed Tinkham’s GMC off the roadway.
The SUV then struck a light pole on the northeast side of the intersection.
The pole fell after the collision.
The report did not state whether the fallen pole blocked traffic.
It also did not provide an estimate for vehicle or property damage.
Woman and Child Taken to Hospital
Tinkham and her passenger suffered possible injuries, according to the police report.
The passenger was an 8-year-old girl from Thief River Falls.
Her name was not released because she is a child.
An ambulance took Tinkham and the girl to Sanford Health for medical care.
The report did not provide details about their conditions.
It also did not say whether either patient was admitted.
Report Released Eight Days Later
The police report was provided to news media on June 25.
That was eight days after the crash occurred.
The summary did not list any citations or assign fault.
It also did not describe the traffic signals or signs at the intersection.
The report did not state whether either vehicle was towed.
Drivers can view the intersection on Google Maps.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety offers traffic safety information for motorists.
Drivers should slow down near intersections and watch for vehicles entering from other directions.
More local information is available through the City of Thief River Falls.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.
