Linda Bernard, 71, of Balaton lost her life Friday afternoon during a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of 211th Street and 120th Avenue in rural Pipestone.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene at 3:13 p.m. after a collision between a 2011 Nissan Leaf that was westbound on 211st Street/County Road 10, and a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab pickup heading northbound on 120th Avenue.
Linda Bernard, formerly of Winona, was a passenger in the Nissan driven by her husband, Martin Bernard, 70. The pickup truck was driven by a juvenile.
Linda Bernard was pronounced dead at the scene. Martin Bernard and the juvenile passenger were transported to Pipestone County Medical Center by the Pipestone County Ambulance. Martin Bernard was stabilized and transferred. Hospitals are prohibited by law from giving out the health status of juveniles.
It’s unknown at this time how the accident occurred. The Minnesota State Patrol is assisting the Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) with the ongoing investigation, specifically the forensic reconstruction of the accident scene in which the State Patrol specializes, said PCSO Chief Deputy Mike Hamann.
“That’s a big portion of the investigation,” Hamann said. “It gives the attorney’s office a full-scale review of the crash.”
As with all severe accidents involving injury or death, the facts of the investigation, once completed, will be forwarded to the Pipestone County Attorney’s Office for review for potential criminal charges.
Hamann said it’s unknown how long the investigation will take to complete.
The Holland Fire Department and First Responders also responded to the scene of the accident.
A service for Linda Bernard was held on Tuesday, July 30 at 11 a.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home.
