Alcohol appeared to be a factor in a deadly head-on crash Friday in Maple Grove that left a man and woman dead.
About 4 p.m., authorities were called to County Road 81 and Maple Grove Parkway on a report of a head-on collision, according to a release from Maple Grove police.
At the scene, officers discovered that a man driving a vehicle west on County Road 81 crossed over into the eastbound traffic lane and sideswiped a vehicle going in the opposite direction, which in turn struck another vehicle. As a result of that collision, three people were taken to the hospital with noncritical injuries.
The man driving the vehicle that caused the first crash then continued west in the eastbound lane of County Road 81 and collided head-on with another vehicle driven by a woman traveling eastbound, killing both drivers. There were no other occupants in either vehicle. The identities of the man and woman were not immediately being released pending family notifications.
According to the police release, alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash.
"The Maple Grove Police Department would like to remind everyone of the importance of responsible alcohol consumption, especially during this holiday season, and to ensure you have a sober ride so we can prevent unfortunate incidents like this from occurring in the future," the release said.
Maple Grove police was assisted by the Hennepin County Sherriff's Office, the State Patrol and the Maple Grove Fire Department.
Nicole Norfleet • 612-673-4495
