Highway 61 Motorcycle Crash Near Two Harbors Leaves 31-Year-Old Man Dead, Several Injured
A serious multi-motorcycle crash on Highway 61 near Two Harbors, Minnesota, left one person dead and several others injured on Saturday, September 12, 2026, after a group of motorcycles crashed near the Silver Creek Tunnel.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the motorcycles were traveling north on Highway 61 shortly before 12:30 p.m. After exiting the tunnel, multiple motorcycles crashed. Several of the motorcycles then crossed into the southbound lanes, where they collided with a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.
Authorities confirmed that one person died in the crash and multiple others were injured. The person killed was identified as a 31-year-old man from Bruno, in Pine County. His name had not been immediately released because authorities were still working to notify his relatives.
Two women who were inside the southbound vehicle involved in the collision were reportedly not injured.
The crash happened along a popular section of Minnesota’s North Shore, north of Two Harbors. Emergency crews and Minnesota State Patrol troopers responded to the scene, while Highway 61 was temporarily closed as investigators and emergency personnel worked at the site. A detour was established while the roadway remained closed.
Reports indicated that the motorcycles were part of the Thunderbirds motorcycle club. Witnesses reportedly saw the group traveling with dozens of motorcycles earlier in the day, with estimates suggesting there may have been approximately 50 riders. The group was reportedly traveling toward the Silver Bay area when the deadly crash occurred.
The precise circumstances that caused the motorcycles to crash after leaving the Silver Creek Tunnel remain under investigation. Authorities have not indicated that another vehicle caused the initial motorcycle collision. Investigators are continuing to determine what happened immediately before several motorcycles entered the southbound lanes.
The deadly crash brought traffic to a standstill along the North Shore and prompted a major emergency response. For the motorcycle community, the incident has transformed what was reportedly a group ride into a devastating tragedy.
One person lost his life, while several others were injured and are recovering from the collision. The crash also left families, fellow riders and members of the local community facing the aftermath of the tragedy.
The investigation remains ongoing. Additional information about the victim, the injured riders and the circumstances surrounding the crash is expected as authorities continue their investigation.
