DULUTH – Three individuals were injured, including one seriously, in a two-vehicle collision involving a St. Louis County Sheriff's deputy on Friday at approximately 12:15 p.m.
According to the Duluth Police Department, the deputy was traveling north on Woodland Avenue with emergency lights and sirens activated, responding to a reported house fire. The deputy rear-ended a vehicle that was also traveling north on Woodland Avenue near St. Paul Avenue.
The driver of the other vehicle, a 69-year-old woman, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Two passengers, a 57-year-old woman and a 78-year-old woman, were also taken to the hospital, although the extent of their injuries remains unknown. A third passenger was not injured.
The sheriff's deputy declined medical treatment, authorities said. The crash is under investigation; additional details have not been released.
The incident is related to a structure fire reported in the 5100 block of Ugstad Road in Canosia Township, where multiple agencies responded. Officials indicated that deputies, along with an off-duty member of the Hermantown Fire Department, attempted to extinguish the flames using fire extinguishers and a garden hose. Upon arrival, fire personnel took over and successfully extinguished the fire.
No individuals were injured in the fire, though one dog died, while two others were rescued. Authorities believe the fire was accidental, with no indication of foul play.
This story was last updated at 8:10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, and originally published at 5:09 p.m. on the same day.