A Hastings woman is dead following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 61 in front of River Oaks Golf Course on Wednesday, July 16.
Crystal Rae Maciewski, age 43 of Hastings, was pronounced dead following the 4:33 p.m. crash which took place near Kingsborough Trail. Maciewski was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead the scene, being ejected from the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox she was driving. The incident report indicates that Maciewski was traveling southbound along Highway 61 when she collided with a 2016 Hyundai Genesis driven by 22-year-old Natalia Jade Hill of Cottage Grove, resulting in the rollover. Hill was wearing her seat belt and not seriously injured in the crash. Airbags were deployed by both vehicles involved in the Wednesday crash. The roadway was dry, with alcohol excluded as a factor in the crash.
Cottage Grove Public Safety put out a Facebook post Wednesday directing people around the crash site.
“Cottage Grove Public Safety are on scene responding to a fatal accident involving a vehicle on Highway 61.
Please avoid southbound Highway 61 beginning at Innovation Road if you are able.
Traffic is being re-routed from southbound Highway 61 to northbound Keats/19, then to eastbound 70th St to southbound Manning/95.
Traffic on northbound Highway 61 south of Kingsborough Trail has been reduced to one lane.
MN State Patrol has been called in to conduct accident reconstruction.
It is unknown at this time how long this stretch of Highway 61 will be impacted.
We will provide updated information as we are able.
Please refer to 511mn.org for up to date traffic information.”
Local agencies responding to the scene late Wednesday afternoon included the Cottage Grove Fire Department, Hastings Fire Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and Washington County Sheriff.
The two-vehicle crash resulted in significant traffic backup along Highway 61 as crews worked the scene, with two wrecker trucks responding and North Highway 61 reduced to one lane at Kimbro Avenue as police turned southbound traffic on to north 61 and away from the crash site. Crews remained on scene for several hours, with the road closure in place until late evening.
A Go Fund Me has been set up to help with Crystal’s funeral costs and for family support, and can be found by searching “Support for Crystal’s Daughters & Funeral Costs on Go Fund Me,” as well as directly at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-crystals-daughters-funeral-costs