BIRCH COOLEY TWP, Renville County, Minn., Oct. 27, 2026 — One person was hurt Monday afternoon, October 26, when a car and a semi truck collided on Highway 71, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The crash happened around 4:14 p.m. near 69878 Highway 71 in Birch Cooley Township. A 2008 Lexus RX and a 2019 Peterbilt semi were both traveling northbound on Hwy 71 when they collided on a wet roadway.
The Lexus was occupied by a 56 year old woman from Isle, Minnesota, who was driving, and a 29 year old male passenger from Finland, Minnesota. The passenger suffered injuries described as non-life threatening and was taken to Redwood Hospital, troopers said. The driver of the Lexus was not reported injured. The driver of the semi, a 62 year old man from Kenosha, Wisconsin, also was not reported injured.
Morton Fire, CentraCare Ambulance and the Renville County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene. The State Patrol said its information on the crash is believed complete, though the cause remains under investigation.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
More on Crashes in BIRCH COOLEY TWP, MN
This crash happened on Highway 71 in Birch Cooley Township, Minnesota. We cover crashes across Renville County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Renville County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can drivers do to lower the chances of a crash like this? Slowing down on wet pavement, keeping a longer following distance from large trucks, and staying alert for vehicles merging or changing lanes can all help avoid collisions, especially in poor road conditions.
What injuries are common in car-versus-semi crashes? Occupants of passenger vehicles often suffer injuries ranging from bruises and whiplash to broken bones, depending on the speed and angle of impact. Semi drivers, protected by a much larger vehicle, are frequently uninjured.
What usually causes crashes like this one? Common factors include wet or slick roads, following too closely, misjudging another vehicle's speed, and driver distraction. Investigators typically review all of these before determining a cause.
Does speed make a difference in how serious a crash is? Yes. Higher speeds give drivers less time to react and increase the force of impact, which generally leads to more severe injuries and vehicle damage.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Birch Cooley Township, MN
After any collision, check yourself and others for injuries before doing anything else, and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor at first, it's wise to get checked out by a medical professional, since some injuries don't show symptoms right away. Try to move to a safe location if possible, make sure to exchange information with the other driver, and take photos of the vehicles and the roadway if you're able. Wet or slick conditions, like those on Highway 71 Monday, can make it hard to tell exactly what happened, so a written report from the responding agency can help clarify the sequence of events in the days that follow.
