Woman dies of crash injuries

One person died as a result of a two-vehicle accident Wednesday morning at the south junction of the Highway 371 bypass, the first fatality on the new highway since it opened Aug. 9.

The accident where the business route of Highway 371 splits from the bypass portion was reported at 11:39 a.m. Wednesday.

The State Patrol said one driver, Sylvia Elizabeth Gustafson, 70, Goodland, was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.

Gustafson was westbound on Business Highway 371. She failed to yield at a red light and was broadsided by Michael Koering, 20, Fort Ripley.

Koering was not transported to the hospital but later sought treatment for a sore knee.

Both Gustafson and Koering were wearing their seat belts. The Brainerd Fire Department assisted at the scene.