Ely woman killed in car crash near Babbitt

An Ely woman was killed in a car crash near the entrance to the Birch Lake public access on Mattila Road.

The Babbitt Police Department reported the accident took place around 1:27 p.m. on May 28 in a single-vehicle motor vehicle accident on Scott Road near the intersection with Mattila Road.

The Babbitt Ambulance Service and the Babbitt Fire Department were also paged to respond. The Babbitt police officer arrived on the scene within five minutes and assisted both ambulance crews and the team of firefighters with rendering emergency medical aid.

The driver of the vehicle was Michael Minier, 63; the passenger was his wife, Deborah L. Minier, 64, both of Ely. Both were extricated and transported by ground to the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital with serious injuries. Air medical was requested by the responders on the scene, but helicopters were unable to fly at the time due to the weather.

The Babbitt Police Department reported the cause of this crash is believed to have stemmed from a separate medical event that caused the driver to lose consciousness before the collision.

The Babbitt Police Department thanked the responders on the scene from the Babbitt Ambulance Service and the Babbitt Fire Department for their efforts, and extended their deepest sympathies to the family affected.