THOMSON TOWNSHIP — Two people died and two others were injured in a two-vehicle crash in Carlton County on Friday, Dec. 26, at approximately 9:02 a.m.
The Carlton County Sheriff's Office reported that emergency personnel found a GMC Sierra pickup and a Chevrolet Impala in a ditch near the intersection of Canosia and East Stark roads.
Rescue attempts for the two occupants of the Impala were unsuccessful; driver Anthony Drake, 57, and passenger Tammy Drake, 57, both from Oronoco, Minnesota, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Sierra, a 32-year-old man, and his 1-year-old son, both from Thomson Township, were transported to Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet. Their current injury status remains unknown.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. However, authorities indicated that alcohol or substance impairment is not believed to be a contributing factor.
Assisting the Carlton County Sheriff's Office were the Minnesota State Patrol, Cloquet Area Fire District, Esko Fire Department, and Carlton Fire and Ambulance.