We were driving north on 371 and slowed down and signaled to turn left onto County Road 17. The cars behind us started passing on the right. Once we were stopped, waiting for oncoming traffic to open so we could turn, we noticed the driver of the fourth or fifth vehicle back did not see us. When we looked in our rear-view mirrors all we saw was the grill of a Toyota pick-up truck bearing down on us. We braced for impact!

We estimate the driver was traveling at least 45 miles per hour, perhaps more. The side mirror of his truck actually clipped the back of our van. If he would have hit us, our vehicle would have been pushed into the high-speed oncoming traffic in the southbound lane. We're certain we would not have survived the crash or at least would have been critically injured!

This is the second incident our family has experienced at that intersection. Our daughter, who lives down County Road 17, was rear-ended at that intersection last year while trying to turn. Fortunately, the man who hit her was not traveling fast and neither of them was seriously hurt.

On Sept. 26, 2009, a woman was rear-ended while turning left there. Her car was pushed into the oncoming traffic, and she was airlifted from the scene.

Surely there have been many accidents and even more near misses there. Debris from crashes litters the side of Highway 371. More should be done as soon as possible. It's only a matter of time before another crash happens there, and someone is killed.

Melody Banks,

Nisswa