Child Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash in Cloquet

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Cloquet Police Department says one child was killed and another injured in a single-vehicle crash in Cloquet Sunday afternoon.

Authorities say officers responded to reports of a crash around 4:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of White Pine Trail.

When officers arrived at the scene they found a 2004 Chevy Impala on either side of White Pine Trail.

According to reports, the vehicle appeared to have left the road and struck a tree splitting the Impala in half.

A three-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene and a five-year-old girl was transported by ambulance to Essentia. Her condition is unknown at this time.

Police say the children appear to have been secured in child safety seats at the time of the crash.

The 26-year-old female driver was transported to Essentia and was later released.

She has been taken into custody and is currently being held at the Carlton County Jail where formal charges are pending for criminal vehicular homicide, criminal vehicle operation, and two counts of child endangerment.

Authorities say “early indications are that speed and impairment are potential factors” in the crash.