Minivan van crash near N.D.-Minn. border leaves 2 dead

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: June 25, 2009 - 3:24 PM

A minivan struck a tree and ended up in a river near the North Dakota-Minnesota border, killing both occupants, authorities said today.

The minivan was discovered by a passerby shortly before 7 this morning in 3-4 feet of water in the Wild Rice River, the North Dakota State Patrol said.

The van had been eastbound County Road 4, west of Abercrombie, and failed to negotiate a curve, the State Patrol said.

The victims are both 49 years old and from Wahpeton, N.D. The driver, a man, was thrown from the vehicle. The passenger, a woman, was found in the van. Their identities have yet to be released.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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