Sheriff’s deputy, 3 others injured in fiery crash on north-central Minnesota

A Crow Wing County Sheriff’s deputy and three others were injured in a three-vehicle, fiery collision Monday, July 24, on Highway 371 north of Baxter.

The crash happened about 2 p.m. in the southbound lane of Highway 371, just south of Barbeau Road, and blocked that side of the highway for more than an hour.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a Buick Regal driven by Charlotte Elaine Zimmerman, 78, Brainerd, was stopped in the left lane on southbound Highway 371 near Barbeau Road. A Dodge Durango, driven by Jeffrey Alan Miller, 59, Minneapolis, was stopped behind the Regal. A Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Ford Explorer squad vehicle, driven by Matthew Wayne Jorgens, 42, of Nisswa, rear-ended the Durango, pushing the Durango into the Regal.

“The squad car did start on fire and was a total loss” the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s office reported. “The deputy involved did have minor injuries and was transported to the St. Joseph Hospital.”

Zimmerman, Jeffrey Miller and a passenger in Jeffrey Miller’s vehicle, Ronda Rae Miller, 58, Minneapolis, were also transported by North Ambulance to Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, Baxter Police Department and Brainerd Fire Department also responded to the crash.