A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 61 and Highway 95 in Cottage Grove occurred on July 9 at approximately 2:45 in the afternoon. The accident involved two Hastings residents, Hazel Mitchell Johnson, age 87 and Jared William Bickner, age 37.
Johnson was heading north on Highway 61 in her 2020 Chevy Camaro, making a left-hand turn onto West. Point Douglas Drive and Bickner was travelling southbound on Highway 61 in his 2015 Dodge Ram pickup toward Hastings. Johnson had a red turn arrow and proceeded through the intersection, cutting off Bickner who had the green light. Bickner broadsided Johnson, who was not wearing her seatbelt and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bickner was transported to Regions Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The nature of the accident caused Southbound Highway 61 to be closed for several hours causing delays and detours to reach Hastings from Cottage Grove. Hastings and Cottage Grove emergency services both responded to the scene.