Updated: Fatal Crash Involving Two Vehicles Near Backus on Highway 371

Updated Information:

The Minnesota State Patrol reports 83-year-old Susan Ann Bye-Elyea of Backus died in the collision. Bye-Elyea was a passenger in an SUV driven by 86-year-old Leo Donald Elyea, who is also from Backus. Leo Elyea suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash.

The State Patrol says a pickup truck driven by 56-year-old Stephen Eric Ertl of St. Cloud was traveling north on Highway 371 when it crossed into the southbound lane and struck Elyea’s SUV. Ertl and a passenger in his vehicle, 26-year-old Ryan Michael Skaja of Fertile, suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash.

According to the State Patrol, Ertl and Skaja were wearing seatbelts. Leo Elyea was not wearing a seatbelt and it is unknown if Susan Bye-Elyea was wearing a seatbelt.

The crash was reported just after 7:30 AM on Wednesday. Roads were covered with snow and ice at the time of the crash. Alcohol did not play a role in the collision.

Original Story:

The Minnesota State Patrol reports a fatal crash involving two vehicles Wednesday on Highway 371.

The report from the State Patrol is still incomplete but says the crash happened north of Highway 87 near Backus in Powers Township. A vehicle traveling north on Highway 371 crossed into the southbound lane and struck another vehicle.

The crash was reported just after 7:30 Wednesday morning. No other details have been released.