Family of 4 identified as victims in Aitkin County crash

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, nine people were involved in the crash, which occurred at approximately 3:05 p.m.

Killed were the 45-year-old man driving, his 40-year-old wife and their children, a 14-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, the patrol said.

The Minnesota State Patrol said the family was traveling in a 2001 Mazda SUV traveling south on Highway 65 near McGrath in Aitkin County around 3pm Saturday when it lost control on the snow-packed road.

The Mazda slid sideways into the northbound lane where it was hit by a Chevy Suburban. The website lists the family’s hometown as Columbia Heights.

The names of the deceased are expected to be released Sunday afternoon. Meyer sustained serious injuries. Two passengers in the Suburban – Kevin Meyer, 25, and Sarah Sample, 22, both of McGregor – also were seriously injured.

There were five people, all from McGregor, Minn., in the Suburban, all of whom were rushed to the nearby Mora hospital. The other woman suffered a non-life-threatening injury, and the 2-year-old had no apparent injuries.

Assisting at the scene was the Isle Police Department and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources enforcement officials.

There were scores of crashes and spinouts Saturday across the state, where 1 to 6 inches of snow fell.