3 people were injured in a three vehicle accident yesterday at the intersection of Highway #59 and the WalMart / Sanford Clinic entrance on Thief River Falls’ east side.

According to Police – 2 of the drivers, 82 year old Ambrose Reese of Brooks and 72 year old Rodger Gramstad of Rogers were taken by ambulance to Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls along with a passenger in the Gramstad vehicle, Evangeline Gramstad, also of Rogers. The driver of the 3rd vehicle, 65 year old Charles Olson of Newfolden, was not injured in the accident.

No condition report was available for Evangeline – however officials at Sanford say Rodger Gramstad was treated and released, with Reese admitted in Good Condition.

Thief River Falls Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to rescue the Gramstad couple, trapped in their car after Reese fell asleep at the wheel of his moving vehicle, side-swiping the Olson car and colliding head-on with the Gramstad vehicle, which ended up in the ditch.

Officers say the Gramstad and Reese vehicles were totaled. All drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, reported at 12:45 Monday afternoon. Police say Reese did receive a citation for failing to drive with due care.