Linwood Township crash kills woman and dog, injures 2 others
LINWOOD TOWNSHIP, Minn. -- A traffic stop related to suspected shoplifting led to a crash that killed a woman and a dog in Anoka County on Monday, ultimately closing a stretch of road.
The Chisago County Sheriff's Office says they received a call at 10:48 a.m. for shoplifting at the Cartfull retail store in North Branch. Police received the license plate and vehicle description of the suspected shoplifters.
An officer conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle, a 2019 Kia sedan at 11:01 a.m. The suspects - a 41-year-old man behind the wheel and a 30-year-old woman passenger - fled westbound on East Viking Boulevard.
The Kia crossed a double yellow line on a curve and struck a 2012 Lincoln MKZ sedan traveling eastbound on Viking Boulevard Northeast near Typo Creek Drive Northeast.
Both vehicles caught on fire after the crash. Officers extinguished the fires and provided medical aid to the victim and suspects involved in the crash.
According to police, both suspects were transported via helicopters to local trauma centers. The woman, identified as Jessica Lynn Sellers of St. Paul, died as a result of her injuries. The suspect driver was listed in critical condition.
The other driver, a woman, was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A dog that was in her car died in the crash.
Minnesota State Patrol and the Anoka County Sheriff's Office are conducting the crash investigation.