Alcohol Was Involved in Deadly Minnesota Traffic Wreck

Thief River Falls, MN (KROC AM News) - The Minnesota State Patrol is reporting alcohol was involved in a deadly traffic wreck in northwest Minnesota late Saturday night.

The State Patrol report of the accident says a vehicle driven by a 58-year-old Gary Austad of Lake Bronson ran a stop sign at a rural intersection and collided with an SUV. Austad’s vehicle rolled into a ditch and he was killed. The report says alcohol was detected in his system. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

The SUV was driven by 31-year-old Rita Giddings of Roseau. She and a 9-year-old passenger were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The deadly wreck happened around 11:30 PM near Thief River Falls.