Maggie May Spychalla Obituary, Death – A fatal crash occurred Friday evening in Aitkin County when two vehicles collided at an intersection along Highway 169. The incident involved a vehicle hauling a fish house and resulted in the death of one person.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported that the crash took place just before 7:13 p.m. near the intersection of Tame Fish Lake Road and Highway 169, in the area of Hazelton Township. A GMC Acadia, which was towing a fish house and carrying six passengers, was traveling northbound on the highway when the crash occurred.
At the same time, a Dodge Ram 2500 was heading east on Tame Fish Lake Road. As it entered the intersection with the highway, the two vehicles collided.
The driver of the GMC Acadia, 34-year-old Maggie May Spychalla of Hazelton, was fatally injured in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene. She was reportedly hauling the fish house at the time of the collision.
The six passengers riding in the Acadia all sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency responders transported them to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Their current conditions have not been detailed, but none of the injuries were considered critical.
In the Dodge Ram, both the 18-year-old driver and the 18-year-old passenger were also injured. Authorities said their injuries were not life-threatening, though it was noted that neither of them was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The crash is under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol. It remains unclear whether speed, distraction, or any other factors contributed to the collision. Authorities have not released information regarding possible charges or citations.
The intersection of Highway 169 and Tame Fish Lake Road was temporarily closed following the incident as emergency crews worked to assist the injured and clear the scene.
This tragic event has prompted renewed attention to intersection safety and seatbelt use. Officials continue to stress the importance of buckling up and driving with caution, particularly in rural areas where cross-traffic intersections may have limited visibility.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials will work to determine the exact circumstances that led to the crash. Updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The community of Hazelton Township mourns the loss of Maggie May Spychalla, while authorities focus on piecing together what caused the fatal collision on what began as a routine evening drive.
