Bruce Afrifa Botwe Injured in Highway 53 Crash Under Highway 135 in Virginia, Minnesota on January 16, 2026

Bruce Afrifa Botwe was injured following a single-vehicle crash in Virginia, Minnesota, on January 16, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 12:32 p.m. as a 2025 Hyundai Venue traveled northbound on Highway 53 beneath the Highway 135 overpass in St. Louis County. Authorities reported that the vehicle left the roadway and entered a ditch amid snow- and ice-covered conditions.

Botwe, 20, of Duluth, was a passenger in the vehicle. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The driver, 22-year-old Lawrence Opoku of Duluth, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Essentia for medical care. Airbags in the vehicle deployed during the crash. Emergency response was provided by the Virginia Police Department, Virginia Fire, and Virginia Medical. Authorities have not confirmed whether alcohol was a factor in the incident.