Car wreck on Highway 61 in Tofte leaves one dead, one injured

At 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sep. 17, a traffic accident in Tofte was reported to the Cook County Sheriff. A car carrying two people had gone off the road and through the bike path fence along Highway 61. According to the sheriff’s command log, the wreck left one person injured and one deceased.

The individuals in the vehicle were from Edina, MN. The female passenger was transported via Lifeflight helicopter from the scene to receive treatment in Duluth. She was conscious at the time of her evacuation. The male passenger was declared deceased at the scene.

The cause of the accident has not been released, and Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen told WTIP that the incident is currently under investigation.

The report of the wreck was responded to by the North Shore Health EMS, Cook County Sheriff, Tofte Fire Department, Cook County Search and Rescue, and the Minnesota State Patrol, with the Lutsen and Schroeder fire departments available for mutual aid. On Tuesday night, Highway 61 was temporarily closed to allow the Lifeflight helicopter to land and then disembark, and for the vehicle to be towed from the scene. Traffic was limited and directed during the emergency response on Tuesday night. As of Wednesday morning there are not further traffic restrictions through the area.

Kirsten Wisniewski September 18, 2024