Cook County woman dies in single vehicle accident near Highway 61

A 79-year-old Cook County woman was killed in an automobile accident along Highway 61 this afternoon.

At approximately 4:15 p.m. (July 5) authorities received notification that a red Jeep crashed at County Road 14 and east Highway 61.

Cook County resident Barbara Helen Wright was the lone occupant of the vehicle. She was reported deceased on arrival by emergency crews. The woman was identified by the State Patrol at 10 p.m. Thursday.

The Minnesota State Patrol incident report states that the vehicle was traveling eastbound on Highway 61 when it made a left turn onto County Road 14. The vehicle then struck a large pine tree with its front bumper on the east side of County Road 14. Road conditions were dry.

Wright was transported to the North Shore Hospital and next of kin was notified.

Responding to the scene were Cook County Sheriff’s Deputies, Minnesota State Patrol, Cook County Ambulance, Colvill Fire Rescue, and Hovland Fire Rescue.

The cause of the accident and cause of death are under investigation.

Kalli Hawkins July 5, 2022