A 68-year-old Kerkhoven man was killed Friday morning after stopping to help at the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Highway 40 just west of Willmar, according to authorities.
Jeffrey Dean Bauman had pulled over on eastbound Highway 40 near 60th Street SW to check on the occupants of an earlier collision when he was struck by another vehicle and later pronounced dead, officials said.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the original crash was a non-injury, two-vehicle collision on eastbound Highway 40 at 60th Street SW at about 8:09 a.m. The patrol’s incident log notes that a passerby stopped to check on those involved in that first crash and was hit by an eastbound 2018 Chevrolet Equinox.
The report identifies the driver of the Equinox as 30-year-old Jessica Lynn Schneider of Maynard and states that road conditions were dry and alcohol was not suspected.
Local station KSTP published Bauman’s name and reported that emergency crews arrived quickly at the scene. The station’s account tracks with the State Patrol’s update and local responder reports.
Secondary crashes and what officials say to watch for
Traffic officials classify wrecks that occur after an initial crash as secondary crashes, and federal research shows they can be especially dangerous for people who stop to assist as well as for first responders. The Federal Highway Administration notes that inconsistent reporting makes secondary crashes difficult to accurately count and urges stronger incident management practices to protect both motorists and emergency crews.
Multiple local agencies responded to the Highway 40 scene, including the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, Kandiyohi Rescue, Willmar Fire and Pennock First Responders. The State Patrol’s incident page lists a case number and media contact for follow-up, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Investigators said the crash remains under review as authorities work to confirm details.
