Two teenagers were transported to a Fargo trauma center with life-threatening injuries following a two-vehicle collision at a rural Otter Tail County intersection on Saturday evening, according to information released by the Minnesota State Patrol.
The crash occurred at approximately 5:15 p.m. on June 13 at the intersection of Highway 29 and 610th Avenue near Deer Creek, west of Wadena.
Severe damage after pickup truck t-bones small sedan.
According to authorities, a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck was traveling northbound on Highway 29 when a Chevrolet Cavalier entered the highway from 610th Avenue and turned south. The vehicles collided within the intersection.
Emergency responders arriving at the scene found the occupants of the Chevrolet suffering from severe injuries. The driver, identified by authorities as 18-year-old T.S. of Verndale, and a 17-year-old passenger, identified as J.W. of Brandon, were transported to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the pickup truck, a 66-year-old Wadena-area man, and an 11-year-old passenger in the truck were not reported injured.
Investigation Continues
Preliminary information released by law enforcement indicates alcohol was not believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.
Investigators also reported that the driver of the Chevrolet was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. Authorities have not publicly stated whether seat belt usage was a factor in the severity of the injuries sustained.
As is standard procedure following a serious-injury collision, the Minnesota State Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances leading to the crash, including vehicle movements, roadway conditions, visibility, and right-of-way issues at the intersection.
Emergency Response
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including:
- Minnesota State Patrol
- Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office
- Wadena County Sheriff’s Office
- Astera Ambulance
- Deer Creek Fire Department
- Premier Towing
The coordinated response involved emergency medical personnel, fire responders, law enforcement officers, and recovery crews working to secure the crash scene and assist the injured parties.
Rural Intersection Crashes Remain a Serious Safety Concern
Collisions occurring at rural highway intersections frequently involve significant impact forces because at least one vehicle is often traveling at highway speeds. Crashes involving turning movements or vehicles entering a highway can result in severe side-impact or angled collisions, which are among the most dangerous types of roadway accidents.
When serious injury crashes occur, investigators typically examine factors including traffic control devices, driver visibility, vehicle speeds, roadway design, seat belt usage, and whether any driver failed to yield the right-of-way.
At this time, no criminal charges or citations related to the collision have been publicly announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.
What We Know So Far
- The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. on June 13.
- The collision happened at Highway 29 and 610th Avenue near Deer Creek.
- A northbound Dodge Ram pickup and a Chevrolet Cavalier collided in the intersection.
- The 18-year-old driver and 17-year-old passenger in the Chevrolet suffered life-threatening injuries.
- Both were transported to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo.
- The pickup occupants were not injured.
- Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.
- Authorities reported the Chevrolet driver was not wearing a seat belt.
- The Minnesota State Patrol investigation remains active.
This article is based on information released by law enforcement and published reports.