1966 — March 7, two car collision, US Highway 61 north of St Paul, MN — 7

–7 AP. “7 Persons Killed; 2 Cars Collide.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 3-7-1966, 1.
–7 Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. “Seven Die in H. 61 Crash.” 3-7-1966, p. 1.

Narrative Information

March 7: “St. Paul, Minn. (AP) – Seven persons were killed early today when two cars collided on U.S. Highway 61 north of St. Paul. The Highway Patrol said the headon smashup involved one car filled with six young people, ranging in age from 17 to 22. There was only one survivor in that vehicle. A married couple in the other car were killed. Authorities identified the dead as:

John K. Froberg, 41, rural Lindstrom, Minn., driver of one car.
His wife, Sylvia, 41.

Howard L. Neilsen, 22, driver of the second car.
Patricia Ann Johnson, 19.
Michael Rardon, 21
James D. Berggren, 19.
Gordon W. Marcott, 18.

“The lone survivor was Petr Elko, 17. He suffered broken legs and pelvis and was transferred from Forest Lake to University Hospitals, Minneapolis.

“All those in the Nelsen car were from the Forest Lake area, about seven miles north of the crash scene.

“The Highway Patrol said investigation showed the accident occurred in the north bound lane, in which Froberg was driving, and that the Nielsen vehicle had crossed the center line of the two lane highway. The Froberg’s were in a 1964 model car and the Nielsen car was a 1966 model.

“The patrol said the accident happened about 12:05 a.m. and apparently there were no other drivers who witnessed it….” (Associated Press. “7 Persons Killed; 2 Cars Collide. Man, Wife And 5 Young People Die.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 3-7-1966, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “7 Persons Killed; 2 Cars Collide. Man, Wife And 5 Young People Die.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 3-7-1966, p. 1. Accessed 5-5-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-mar-07-1966-p-1/

Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. “Seven Die in H. 61 Crash.” 3-7-1966, p. 1. Accessed 5-6-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fergus-falls-daily-journal-mar-07-1966-p-1/