Crime & Safety
Hopkins Woman Among Those Injured in Fatal I-94 Crash
Joann E. Bieker's injuries aren't life threatening
A Hopkins woman was among those hurt in a Monday crash that killed four North Dakota State University roommates returning home to school from the Twin Cities.
Joann E. Bieker’s injuries aren’t life threatening, according to a State Patrol report.
The 71-year-old was a passenger in a 2007 Toyota Corolla that was driving east on Interstate 94, west of Alexandria.
Find out what's happening in Hopkinswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The NDSU students were driving west at the same time. Their 2005 Chevrolet Malibu crossed the median and was broadsided by a 2008 Ford Expedition. The Corolla—driven by Kari S. Christensen of Ramsey—then rear-ended the Expedition.
Christensen also received injuries that weren’t life threatening in the crash. She and Bieker were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, the Star Tribune reports.
Find out what's happening in Hopkinswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The four women in the Malibu died in the crash. State patrol identified them as:
- Lauren J. Paterson, 18, of Prior Lake, the driver
- Jordan N. Playle, 19, of Elk River
- Megan R. Sample, 18, of Rogers
- Danielle R. Renninger, 18, of Excelsior
The Star Tribune reports that Renninger was a 2011 Minnetonka High School graduate returning back to school after the Presidents Day weekend.
The driver of the Expedition—Lawrence M. Akers, 58, of Harwood, N.D.—was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries that weren’t life threatening.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.