Two Confirmed Dead in Three Vehicle Accident in St. Michael: No. 3 Top Story of 2012

This tragic story and its updates were the No. 3 most-read on St. Michael Patch in 2012. As we recap stories we shared with the community throughout the year, check back each day to find out the No. 2 and No. 1 story of the year.

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UPDATE - (8:07 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20): The Wright County Sheriff's Department has confirmed two people were killed in last night's three-vehicle accident on Wright County Road 34 in St. Michael. 

First responders were called to the scene of a three vehicle accident at 9:40 p.m. 

Several passengers from all three vehicles were transported to area hospitals.

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Original story, Oct. 19, 2012: At least one person is dead after three cars collided around 10 p.m. Friday night on Wright County Road 34 near Steele Lake.  

Witnesses who live along the road said they heard a loud noise, and then "lots of sirens," but no one witnessed the crash, which happened along the curve near the lake. The group stated they saw at least two bodies, but that report was not confirmed at post time. 

One vehicle, which contained one of the victims of the crash, was positioned off the south lane. Firefighters had to extinguish flames after the accident. 

Air ambulance was called, and at least two ambulance vehicles were on scene. Wright County Deputies, St. Michael Fire Department and Hanover Fire Department were all on the scene. 

According to Police Clips, which relays scanner broadcasts, North AirCare2 Landed and transported. North AirCare4 was canceled as they came over the scene and returned to Princeton.

Wright County Deupties and members of the St. Michael Fire Department were reconstructing the accident well into the evening. 

St. Michael Patch will have more updates as information becomes available. 

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Victims identified, Oct. 22, 2012 -

Buffalo Woman, Plymouth Man Identified as Victims in St. Michael Accident

The Wright County Sheriff's Department has identified the two drivers killed in Friday's accident on Wright County Road 34. 

Mary Jo Meyer-Buske, 55, Buffalo and Zachary Lee Jennings, 22, Plymouth were killed in the chain-reaction crash, which happened around 9:40 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19. 

According to the Wright County Sheriff's Department: 

On October 19, 2012 at 9:40 PM, the Wright County Sheriff's Office received a report of a three vehicle accident in the 8300 block of 10th Street NE (County Road 34) in the city of St Michael.

The initial investigation indicates that a 2004 Chevrolet Suburban being driven by Mary Jo Meyer-Buske, 55, of Buffalo was westbound on 10th St NE when it collided with a 1996 Volvo which was eastbound and being driven by Zachary Lee Jennings, 22, of Plymouth. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.

A third vehicle, a 1996 Volkswagen, being driven by Gretchen Root, 30, of Minneapolis was eastbound on 10th Street NE and did not see the first two vehicles and collided with them. Root was transported to Buffalo Hospital by Allina Ambulance.

There were three passengers in the Suburban who were transported to local hospitals with injuries. They are identified as:

Jonathan Meyer, 41, of Alexandria, taken to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale via Allina Ambulance

Kimberly Meyer, 54, of Alexandria, taken to Allina Hospital in Buffalo and then airlifted to North Memorial Hospital.

Sonja Sjolander, 38, of Buffalo, was taken to Allina Hospital in Buffalo via Allina Ambulance.

Two helicopters were called to the scene, but neither was used. 

The St Michael and Hanover Fire Departments responded to the scene. The incident remains under investigation by the Wright County Sheriff's Office.