Wrong-Way Crash on I-35 in Duluth Kills One

A two-vehicle collision involving a pickup truck and an SUV resulted in one death and one critical injury on Friday.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Car Types

Abstract editorial illustration in navy and cream with red, evoking the scale of interstate highway infrastructure and institutional gravity. — A 74-year-old driver died Friday morning in a wrong-way collision on I-35 in Duluth, leaving another driver with critical injuries. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

A 74-year-old man driving a pickup truck died after traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-35 in Duluth. The wrong-way collision, which also left a 35-year-old SUV driver with life-threatening injuries, occurred on Friday morning.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the severe risks associated with wrong-way driving incidents on high-speed interstate corridors. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the pickup truck driver entering the opposing lanes of travel.

The crash occurred at 6:20 a.m. involving a 74-year-old pickup driver and a 35-year-old SUV driver. Traffic backups were still being reported near the scene as of 9:45 a.m.

The players

I-35

This is a major interstate highway serving as a primary transit corridor through Duluth and across the state.

The details

The collision occurred near the Thompson Hill area, north of Cody Street on I-35. The pickup truck was moving north in the southbound lanes when it struck the oncoming SUV, causing significant traffic delays for local morning commuters.

The crash occurred at 6:20 a.m. on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Traffic congestion remained in the area as of 9:45 a.m. on October 16, 2026.

Roadmap

This crash follows the patterns identified in the NTSB's nationwide wrong-way driving safety initiative regarding the high lethality of head-on interstate collisions. Such events underscore the ongoing challenges infrastructure planners face in preventing wrong-way entry onto high-speed highways.

Drivers in the Duluth area should anticipate lingering traffic delays while investigators clear the scene on I-35. Residents are reminded to exercise caution when navigating highway interchanges, especially during early morning hours with low visibility.

The takeaway

Wrong-way driving incidents are statistically more likely to result in fatal outcomes due to the high-speed nature of interstate head-on collisions. Motorists are encouraged to maintain heightened awareness of directional signage and road markings, especially during off-peak hours.