Woman, boy killed, 3 hurt in St. Louis County 4-vehicle crash

A 32-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy were killed and three other people were hurt in a crash involving four vehicles in St. Louis County Thursday afternoon.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported that, at about 3:55 p.m., a Toyota Corolla was traveling west along Highway 135 at Indiana Avenue West when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it crossed the center line.

The Corolla hit a Toyota Yaris that was traveling east and was then itself hit by an eastbound Chevrolet Malibu. A Volkswagen Passat then rear-ended the Malibu, state patrol reports.

The Corolla’s 32-year-old driver and an 11-year-old passenger were killed in the crash. Minnesota State Patrol identified the 32-year-old driver as Betty Smith and the 11-year-old passenger as Dakota Smith. A 10-year-old passenger was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth with life-threatening injuries. A 6-year-old passenger suffered injuries not considered to be life-threatening.

The 64-year-old Yaris driver was not hurt.

The 51-year-old driver of the Malibu suffered injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening.

The 29-year-old driver of the Passat was not hurt.

The state patrol reported roads were icy at the time of the crash.