Fatal Crash Near Mille Lacs Lake Also Injures 5 Kids, 3 Adults

Garrison, MN (KROC-AM News) - One person was killed and eight others were injured in a two-vehicle crash near Mille Lacs Lake Friday evening.

The State Patrol says the fatal crash was reported around 7:15 p.m. at an intersection along Highway 169 in Aitkin County about 8 miles northeast of Garrison. The crash report indicates the victim was driving an SUV that collided with a pickup truck.

According to the State Patrol, 34-year-old Maggie May Spychalla of Hazleton Township was hauling a fish house and was traveling north on Highway 169 when the pickup entered the highway from a rural road and the two vehicles collided.

Spychalla was transported to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries.

The State Patrol says she had six passengers. Her husband, 39-year-old Patrick Spychalla, and their five children, ranging in age from 3 to 17 years old, were also transported to a local hospital, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the pickup and his passenger were also taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was identified as 18-year-old Jimmy Dano of Hazleton Township.

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The State Patrol says alcohol was not a factor in the crash. All of the occupants of the SUV were wearing seatbelts, while the State Patrol says the driver of the pickup and his passenger were not.

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