Mon, Dec 25th, 2023 - 8:49pm
January 10, 2021 - 5:20pm | By Chris Larson
The following information is from the Grand Forks Police Department:
Sunday 5:18 p.m. update: This incident has resulted in three fatalities. The following is driver and victim information with regard to the vehicles described.
The driver of the Buick Regal has been identified as Jenessa Kelley, age 21, of Crookston, MN. Ms. Kelley was pronounced deceased at Altru Hospital, as a result of injuries sustained in this crash.
The driver of the Chevrolet Impala has been identified as Trisha Trousil, age 42, of Oslo, MN.
The driver of the Ford Explorer has been identified as Amanda Green, age 45, of Grand Forks, ND.
The driver of the Dodge Caravan has been identified as Laura Van Erem, age 52, of Fertile, MN. Ms. Van Erem was pronounced deceased at the scene, as a result of injuries sustained in this crash. The front seat passenger in this vehicle has been identified as Nancy Sand, age 72, of Fertile, MN. Ms. Sand was also pronounced deceased at the scene, as a result of injuries sustained in this crash.
As noted in the original release, two passengers of the vehicles involved in this incident were transported to Altru for injuries sustained.
Preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle driven by Jenessa Kelley matches the description of a vehicle involved in a hit and run in East Grand Forks, MN. Witness accounts indicate the Buick was westbound on DeMers Avenue at an extremely high rate of speed immediately prior to the initial collision. Evidence on scene suggests alcohol may have played a role in this incident.
This incident remains under active investigation. Anyone with information on this, or any related, incident, is encouraged to contact the Grand Forks Police Department by one of the following methods:
Call: 701-787-8000
Online: Submit a tip via the GFPD’s Facebook or website
App: Submit a tip via the Tip411 app
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Original story: Two people are dead following a noon-hour crash in downtown Grand Forks Saturday afternoon.
According to the Grand Forks Police Department, at 12:21 p.m., officers were dispatched to an injury accident at the intersection of 5th Street and Demers Avenue. Upon arrival, it was discovered that there were multiple vehicles involved with serious injuries, a news release from the department says.
The initial investigation shows that a 2011 Buick Regal was traveling westbound on Demers Avenue at a high rate of speed. The Regal in the center lane when it struck a Chevrolet Impala, causing minor damage, and then it struck a 1997 Ford Explorer as it was attempting a left turn from Demers Avenue to go onto South 5th Street.
The Regal glanced off the Explorer and then hit an eastbound Dodge Caravan, causing the Regal to roll over onto its top.
The driver and front seat passenger of the Caravan were killed. A rear seat juvenile in the vehicle was transported to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.
The driver and passenger in the Regal were also transported to Altru Hospital. Their condition is unknown at this time.
The crash remains under investigation.
