Alcohol Use Suspected in Crash That Killed Minnesota Woman

Virginia, MN (KROC-AM News)- The State Patrol says alcohol was involved in a crash that killed a northern Minnesota woman over the weekend. 

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The two-vehicle crash occurred Saturday night. It happened during a traffic back-up at the intersection of Minnesota Hwy. 169 Fireweed Rd. about eight miles north of Virginia. 

The state crash report indicates a pick-up truck was stopped in the northbound lane due to a vehicle blocking all traffic on the two lane highway. A northbound sedan, driven by 38-year-old David Kevin Medicine of Virginia then struck the pick-up from behind. 

A passenger in the sedan, identified as 61-year-old Cathy Marjorie Johnson of Tower, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was not buckled up at the time of the fatal collision, according to the report. 

35-year-old Angela Geraldine Buckanaga, who was the second passenger in the sedan, was taken to a hospital from the crash scene for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Medicine was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

 The report indicates investigators suspect alcohol was in his system at the time of the deadly crash. He was jailed on suspicion of several charges following the crash, including criminal vehicular homicide. 

The pick-up driver, 58-year-old Gregory Joseph Lenz of Embarrass, MN and a passenger, identified as 56-year-old Carl August Brummund also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported from the scene for further care. 

A 14-year-old boy in the pick-up was reported to be unharmed but was also taken to a hospital.