Tragedy struck Morrison County when a collision between an ATV and a truck claimed the life of a local man. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported that on May 12, at around 1:21 pm, they were alerted to a fatal accident at the crossroad of 30th Street and 60th Avenue, near Upsala, MN.
According to the sheriff's office, the crash involved Samantha Robideaux, 30, of Bowlus, driving a Chevrolet Silverado, and Terry Theis, 55, also from Bowlus, operating the ATV. Robideaux was heading east on 30th Street, while Theis was traveling north on 60th Avenue. This, neglecting the stop sign at the busy junction, was struck by Robideaux's vehicle. Robideaux escaped the accident without injuries, but Theis was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff Shawn Larsen emphasized the rippling effect of such events, saying, "these types of incidents impact all of us to include family, friends, law enforcement and emergency personnel who respond to these scenes." With the advent of warmer weather and a surge in the number of recreational vehicles on the roads, Larsen reminded the public to "exercise caution, stay alert, avoid distractions, avoid driving under the influence, and follow the speed limit and all traffic laws."
Morrison County was assisted by multiple agencies, including the MN State Patrol, Upsala Fire Department, and Upsala First Response Team. Life Link III, and Mayo Clinic Ambulance responded to the incident. As the community mourns the loss of Theis, Sheriff Larsen urged the public to remember "Safety needs to be everyone’s top priority" in hopes of preventing future tragedies on the road.
