Linda Shirleen Erickson dies in fatal Stearns County, Minnesota car crash

Linda Shirleen Erickson dies in fatal Stearns County, Minnesota car crash

Fatal Stearns County, Minnesota car crash death of Linda Shirleen Erickson – Obituary

Linda Shirleen Erickson, 63, of Sauk Centre, lost her life Friday evening after a violent head-on collision on U.S. Highway 71 in Stearns County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The crash happened at approximately 5:13 p.m. near an intersection along the highway between Belgrade and Elrosa.

Authorities said Erickson was driving a 2015 Kia Sportage southbound when her vehicle collided directly with a northbound Dodge Durango driven by Paul Joseph Matthys, 55, of Osakis. Both drivers were alone in their vehicles at the time of the impact.

The collision resulted in fatal injuries to both Erickson and Matthys, and they were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators noted that road conditions were dry when the crash occurred.

Officials reported that both drivers were wearing seat belts and that airbags deployed in both vehicles. Alcohol was not considered a factor in Erickson’s case, while it remained unclear whether it played a role in the crash involving Matthys.

Emergency responders from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Sauk Centre Ambulance, Elrosa Fire Department, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation assisted at the scene as the investigation continued.