Crow Wing County, MN — January 12, 2025, Lee Page, Lisa Brunes and Kari Hohansee were killed and James Hohansee was injured in a car accident at about 12:40 p.m. on U.S. Route 169.

Authorities said a southbound 2016 Ford F-150 collided with a 2015 Dodge Durango for an unknown reason near Channel Drive south of Garrison, but investigators noted the road was covered in snow and ice at the time of the crash.

Ford driver Lee William Page, 59, and passenger Lisa Marie Brunes, 59, died in the crash near Mille Lacs Lake, as did Dodge passenger Kari Sue Hohansee, 51, according to authorities.

Dodge driver Jeremy James Hohansee, 53, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional details about the crash. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When crashes occur on snowy and icy roads, as they did in this case, they highlight the unique challenges of driving in hazardous conditions. However, while winter weather often plays a role, the underlying causes of such accidents are typically more complex than they appear at first glance. Determining why this collision occurred will require investigators to look beyond the weather and examine all contributing factors.

A key question is whether the drivers involved adjusted their driving to account for the road conditions. Snow and ice demand slower speeds, greater following distances and heightened caution. That said, it’s also important to recognize that even cautious driving may not fully mitigate risks if road conditions are severe or if unexpected circumstances arise, such as a vehicle losing control.

The condition of the vehicles themselves is another crucial consideration. In winter driving, equipment like tire quality, brake function and stability control systems can make a significant difference in a driver’s ability to maintain control. Investigators should review whether both vehicles were properly equipped and maintained for driving in winter conditions.

The design and maintenance of the roadway also deserve attention. Were the road’s conditions adequately managed with plowing, sanding, or salting? Was the roadway designed in a way that minimizes the risks of losing control, particularly in winter conditions? These questions are essential to understanding whether the environment itself played a role in the crash.

Finally, it’s important to consider what steps might have prevented this outcome. While weather can’t be controlled, mitigation strategies like better road maintenance, vehicle safety features or even traffic control measures like reduced speed limits in icy conditions can help reduce risks. These aspects of winter driving safety should always be a part of investigating crashes that occur in inclement weather.

This accident is a stark reminder of how challenging winter driving can be and how many factors must be examined to understand what caused such a devastating event. The hope is that a thorough investigation provides answers to the families affected.