A Thursday evening drive ended in tragedy on Minnesota Highway 55 when a Ford Fusion and a Freightliner semi collided head-on about a mile east of South Haven, killing one person and briefly shutting down the two-lane stretch. The crash happened around 5:30 p.m., and the highway was blocked while crews worked the scene. Emergency responders stayed on site into the night as state troopers reconstructed what happened, and officials have not yet released the names of those involved.
What the preliminary report says
According to KNSI, the Fusion was driven eastbound by a 63-year-old woman from Annandale. The preliminary crash report lists the semi's driver as a 57-year-old man from Hastings, with a 46-year-old man from South St. Paul riding as a passenger. The Minnesota State Patrol has not said which of the three was killed and noted that names would be released later Friday as the investigation continues.
Where it happened
As reported by KROC, the collision took place on a rural segment of Hwy. 55 about 20 miles south of St. Cloud. Troopers say the semi was headed east and the car west when they struck each other head-on on the two-lane highway. Authorities closed the road while they documented the scene and cleared the wreckage.
Emergency response
The Wright County Sheriff's Office, South Haven Fire Department and Allina Ambulance assisted at the scene, according to KNSI. Troopers and local crews worked together to remove debris and reopen the roadway later in the evening. Officials stressed that the preliminary report could change as investigators sort through the details.
Why this stretch matters
This section of Highway 55 has seen multiple serious crashes in recent months, raising fresh concerns about safety on two-lane rural routes. Bring Me The News and other outlets have highlighted several deadly wrecks along Hwy. 55, including crashes in nearby areas that occurred within minutes of each other. Troopers have urged drivers to slow down and use extra caution, especially in winter conditions when visibility and traction can deteriorate quickly.
The Minnesota State Patrol continues to investigate. This story will be updated once officials release the names of those involved and any additional findings.
