BERTHA, Todd County, Minn., Oct. 16, 2026 — A pickup driver was hurt on Wednesday evening, October 14, when his truck collided with a semi at a rural intersection in Todd County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The crash happened around 6:05 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 71 and County Road 24. A 2017 Volvo semi was heading north on Highway 71 when it collided with a 2003 Ford pickup traveling west on County Road 24, the report states. The road surface was reportedly dry at the time.
The pickup driver, identified as Josh Allen Prather, 44, of Bertha, suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening and was taken to Astera Health in Wadena. The semi driver, identified as Maksym Semeniuk, 48, of Eagan, was not reported injured and was wearing a seat belt, troopers said.
Todd County Sheriff's deputies, Bertha First Responders and Bertha Fire Department responded to the scene. The State Patrol listed its information on the crash as believed complete as of Wednesday night, though the exact cause has not been released.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
A Common Misconception About Rural Intersection Crashes
Many drivers assume that crashes at open, rural intersections are less dangerous than pileups on crowded highways because traffic is lighter and visibility seems better. The evidence does not bear this out. Fewer vehicles on the road does not mean lower speeds, and higher speeds change what an intersection crash looks like when it happens.
Rural intersections without signals or stop lights often rely on sightlines and driver judgment alone. A vehicle crossing at 55 or 60 mph gives both drivers far less time to react than the same crash would allow in a city, even though the roads look emptier and safer.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 23,959 passenger-vehicle occupants were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. That figure spans every road type and reflects how often traffic deaths occur away from the crowded intersections most drivers picture when they think about crash risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is distracted driving a factor in so many intersection crashes?
A glance at a phone or dashboard display takes a driver's eyes off cross traffic for several seconds, which is often enough time to miss a vehicle approaching from the side, especially at higher speeds.
How do road and weather conditions affect intersection crashes?
Wet, icy, or snow-covered pavement extends stopping distance and can cause a vehicle to slide through a stop sign or signal. Even on dry roads, like the conditions reported in this crash, speed and sightlines still determine how much time drivers have to react.
What should someone do immediately after a car accident?
Check for injuries, call 911, move to a safe location if possible, and exchange information with the other driver. Photograph the scene and vehicle positions if it's safe to do so, and wait for law enforcement to arrive and document the crash.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
A large share of crashes occur at intersections, where crossing paths and turning vehicles create more opportunities for collisions than on straight stretches of road.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Bertha, Minnesota
Anyone involved in a crash in a small community like Bertha should still seek a medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain from impacts, and some injuries take hours or days to become apparent.
Keep a copy of the official crash report once it's available, and follow up with your insurance company to document damage and any medical treatment. If emergency responders were on scene, note which agencies responded, since that information can help later when resolving insurance claims.
