Authorities ID victim of fatal crash on North Shore

Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal two-car crash Friday afternoon on Highway 61 along the North Shore.

The Minnesota State Patrol said Saturday that Caitlin D. Kelly, 19, of Northfield, Minn., was killed when her Honda Civic, traveling northbound on Highway 61 about seven miles northeast of Two Harbors, spun out on the icy road and went sideways. It was struck on the passenger side by a southbound Chevrolet Malibu.

The crash happened west of the Lafayette Bluff Tunnel, just after 3 p.m.

The driver of the southbound car, Paul Drindak, 62, of Thunder Bay, Ontario, was not injured. His wife, Linda Drindak, 61, was a passenger in the car and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the Patrol reported. She was transported to St. Luke's hospital in Duluth.

Authorities said there was alcohol detected in Paul Drindak's system, but it was not clear whether that played a role in the crash. Everyone involved in the crash was wearing seat belts.

The collision closed Highway 61 in both directions for a time. One lane was reopened about 90 minutes after the crash, with both lanes reopened by 7 p.m.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

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