Isanti County (trfnews.i234.me) was the site of a tragic collision early Thursday morning after a driver ran a stop sign and was fatally struck by another vehicle.
The crash occurred at 12:02 AM on March 6, 2025, at the intersection of Southbound Highway 65 and 269th Avenue Northeast in Athens Township.
Crash Details & Emergency Response
Authorities report that a 2012 Honda Accord was traveling westbound on 269th Avenue when it failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck by a northbound 2023 Ford Escape on Highway 65.
Emergency responders, including Isanti Police, Isanti Sheriff’s Office, Cambridge Police, and Allina Ambulance, rushed to the scene.
Victim Identified & Fatal Outcome
- The driver of the Honda Accord, 56-year-old Leeanne Carmen Mechtel of Chisago, MN, suffered fatal injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
- The driver of the Ford Escape, 32-year-old Sophia Grace Dohman of Cambridge, MN, was not injured.
Authorities confirmed that:
Both drivers were wearing seatbelts Airbags deployed in both vehicles
Alcohol was NOT a factor for the deceased driver
Alcohol involvement for the other driver is currently unknown
Investigation Ongoing
With dry road conditions at the time of the crash, law enforcement is still investigating what may have contributed to Mechtel failing to stop at the sign.
This tragic crash serves as a reminder of the importance of obeying traffic signals in Isanti County (trfnews.i234.me) and across Minnesota.
Did you know?
Running stop signs is one of the leading causes of fatal intersection crashes in the U.S., contributing to over 700 deaths annually. Studies show that driver distraction, misjudgment, and speeding are the most common reasons for stop sign violations.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News