Helen Township, MN (July 27, 2026) — Five people were injured on Saturday afternoon, July 25, in a collision at Highway 212 and Dairy Avenue in Helen Township, McLeod County, when a 2024 Volkswagen Jetta traveling north on Dairy Avenue struck a 2017 Ford Taurus traveling east on Highway 212, investigators said.
Brandy Ann Rogowski, 29, of Brownton was driving the Ford Taurus. Her passengers were an 8-year-old boy, a 1-year-old boy, and Tyler Gene Rogowski, 32, all of Brownton.
All four occupants of the Taurus were taken to Glencoe ER with non-life-threatening injuries. The vehicle’s airbags deployed, and everyone was wearing a seatbelt.
Cameron Michael Seivert, 44, of Mound, was driving the Jetta and was also taken to Glencoe ER with non-life-threatening injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt, and the Jetta’s airbags deployed.
Investigators said alcohol was suspected as a factor for Seivert, and that the road was dry at the time of the wreck. The exact cause of the accident remained under review as this report was filed.
We’re glad to hear the injuries were not life-threatening, and we wish everyone a full recovery.
How Alcohol Affects Driving, Even in Small Amounts
Alcohol begins affecting reaction time and judgment well before a driver feels noticeably impaired. Even at levels below the legal limit, alcohol can slow the brain’s ability to process information and react to sudden changes on the road, such as a vehicle stopping short or a light turning red.
Depth perception and the ability to judge speed and distance are also affected early on. A driver might misjudge how much time is needed to stop, how fast another vehicle is approaching an intersection, or how much space is available to complete a turn safely. These small miscalculations can matter a great deal at higher speeds.
Because impairment can begin before someone feels “buzzed,” many safety experts recommend planning rather than judging in the moment. Designating a sober driver, arranging a ride in advance, or using a rideshare service removes the need to make that judgment call after drinking, when the ability to accurately assess one’s own impairment is already reduced.
