(photo: Kendell Kubasch / KRWC Radio)
A local man was seriously injured Thursday morning when his car collided with a semi truck in Marysville Township.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies were dispatched to the scene of the crash at Dempsey Avenue Southwest, or County Road 9 and County Road 107 Southwest around 9:45 AM Thursday.
Authorities say upon arrival at the scene, deputies found a Peterbilt semi pulling a trailer was southbound on County Road 9, while a Nissan Versa passenger car was eastbound on County Road 107. Officials say evidence indicated that the passenger vehicle did not stop for the stop sign, and struck the trailer of the semi. The car became wedged underneath the trailer and was dragged by the semi rig for a distance. The semi then reportedly rolled onto its side and into the ditch. Shortly thereafter, the Nissan started on fire.
Witnesses and deputies on the scene pulled the driver of the Nissan sedan, 34-year-old Justin Prepodnik of Buffalo, from the burning vehicle. He was initially transported to Buffalo Hospital, then was airlifted to the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis with serious injuries.
One Sheriff’s Deputy was also transported to the Buffalo Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and smoke inhalation.
The driver of the semi, 58-year-old Rex Rowley of Becker, was not injured.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the State Patrol, the Montrose and Waverly Fire Departments, and Allina Ambulance.
Officials say investigation into the crash will continue by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office and the State Patrol due to the involvement of a commercial vehicle.
