Five people were injured July 24 in a collision at the intersection of CR 75 and CR3.
Calvin Coplan, 18, of Holdingford, was driving west on CR 75 about 10:35 a.m. He drove over the fog line and corrected the vehicle back into its lane, crossed the center line and quickly moved the vehicle back into its lane and over the fog line again, according to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office. He continued west and approached the intersection of CR 75 and County Road 3.
At the intersection, the traffic light was red for westbound traffic. Two other vehicles were crossing the intersection. A van driven by Richard Blonigen, 34, of Holdingford was struck in the driver’s door by Coplan’s car. The impact sent Blonigen’s van into the northwest ditch of CR75. Coplan’s vehicle sustained front-end damage and came to rest in the median, according to the sheriff’s office.
Coplan was wearing his seat belt and was treated at the scene for his injuries. He stated he was tired and believed he fell asleep as he did not recall entering the intersection, according to the sheriff’s office.
Blonigen, his wife, and two children, ages 2 and 1 month, were transported to St. Cloud Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The adults were wearing their seat belts and the children were properly restrained in child restraint systems.
St. Joseph Police Department and St. Joseph Fire and Rescue assisted.
