Tire Flies Off Semi, Kills 2 Women In Twin Cities Metro

ST. MICHAEL, MN — Two women are dead after a semi tire crashed into their vehicle Saturday in Wright County.

Just before 5 p.m., a Freightliner semi was westbound on Interstate 94 in St. Michael when it lost two tires, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. A Nissan Rogue was going eastbound on I-94 when the vehicle collided with one of the tires, authorities said.

The driver and a passenger in the Nissan were killed. They were identified as Viengkhone Nguyen, 44, of Brooklyn Park, and Lea Khamphachanh, 43, of St. Cloud.

Three other female passengers in the Nissan suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to North Memorial Hospital.

The driver of the semi, a 37-year-old Savage man, was not injured in the incident.

The St. Michael Fire Department, Wright County Sheriff's Office, and ambulances from Allina and North Memorial Hospital responded to the scene.