ELK RIVER, Sherburne County, Minn., Oct. 16, 2026 — Four people, including a 3-year-old girl, were hurt on Wednesday evening, October 14, when a sedan and an SUV collided at a Sherburne County intersection. No life-threatening injuries were reported, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The crash happened around 6:42 p.m. where East US Highway 10 meets southbound Minnesota Highway 101 in Elk River. A 2010 Mercedes E-Class sedan was turning left onto southbound Highway 101 when it collided with a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling east on Highway 10. The road surface was reported dry at the time.
The Mercedes driver, a 32-year-old Elk River man, and a 3-year-old girl riding in the car were both taken to Mercy Hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. The Jeep's driver, a 36-year-old Redwood Falls woman, was also taken to Mercy Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Elk River Police, Elk River Fire, and ambulance crews responded to the scene.
The State Patrol listed the crash information as believed complete as of Wednesday night. No citations or further details on the cause have been released.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
Why Left-Turn Crashes Happen at Highway Intersections
Left-turn collisions like this one tend to come down to timing. A driver turning across oncoming lanes has to judge the speed and distance of approaching traffic in a few seconds, often while a gap in traffic looks open but isn't. On a highway where speeds run higher than on a city street, that window closes fast.
Intersections where a smaller highway crosses or feeds into a larger one, as at the Highway 101-Highway 10 interchange, concentrate this risk because vehicles are merging, turning, and crossing at different speeds on a small stretch of pavement. A left-turning driver has to clear not just the nearest lane but also oncoming traffic that may be partly obscured by other vehicles or roadway geometry. A through-driver, meanwhile, may not expect a vehicle to be turning directly in their path until it's already there.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 23,959 passenger-vehicle occupants were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Left-turn crashes account for a notable share of intersection collisions nationally, largely because they require one driver to predict another's speed accurately under time pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are most common in car accidents like this one?
Soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash, bruising, and sprains are common in intersection collisions, along with head and chest injuries from the impact or airbag deployment. Children in car seats can still be shaken or bruised even when properly restrained.
What usually causes left-turn crashes at intersections?
Misjudging the speed or distance of oncoming traffic is the most frequent factor, along with limited visibility, distraction, or a driver assuming they have more time to clear the intersection than they actually do.
Why is distracted driving especially risky near intersections?
Intersections demand constant attention to multiple moving vehicles at once. Even a brief glance away from the road can mean missing a gap closing or a vehicle entering the turn lane.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Elk River, Minnesota
If you're involved in a crash at an intersection, move to a safe area if possible and call 911 right away. Even injuries that feel minor at first, like neck stiffness or a headache, can take hours to fully show up, so it's worth getting checked by a medical professional the same day.
Exchange information with the other driver and take photos of the vehicles, the intersection, and any visible damage while you wait for police to arrive. Ask for a copy of the police report number before you leave the scene. Keep records of any medical visits and follow up with your doctor if symptoms change in the days after the crash.
