safety
Minnesota woman dies in I-94 crash coming back from Electric Forest, driver arrested
By Joseph Swanson at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 3, 2026
· 1 min read
A Minnesota woman in her 20s died on the drive back from the Electric Forest music festival after the car she was in drifted off I-94 and into the median on Monday night near Eau Claire, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Anna Melicher and Chase Schaffer (Courtesy: GoFund...
Key takeaway The Wisconsin State Patrol said it would not answer any questions from 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS about the specifics of the crash, as it is under investigation.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The tragic loss of Anna Melicher's life in a car crash on I-94 near Eau Claire raises concerns about the risks of impaired driving on Minnesota roads. As the investigation unfolds, Minneapolis residents may wonder about the prevalence of driving under the influence in the Twin Cities area. The fact that the driver, Cyrus Muehlberg, is from Brooklyn Park, a suburb of Minneapolis, highlights the local connection to this incident. The case also underscores the need for continued education and enforcement efforts to prevent drunk driving in Hennepin County and beyond. With the Wisconsin State Patrol handling the investigation, Minneapolis authorities may be prompted to review their own strategies for combating impaired driving and supporting victims' families. The community will be watching for the outcome of this investigation and any potential implications for traffic safety initiatives in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Minnesota woman in her 20s died on the drive back from the Electric Forest music festival after the car she was in drifted off I-94 and into the median on Monday night near Eau Claire, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Anna Melicher and Chase Schaffer (Courtesy: GoFund...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joseph Swanson at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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