Shell Rock Township, MN (August 21, 2025) – A major crash in Freeborn County left multiple people injured Wednesday afternoon after a Ford Explorer collided with a Freightliner semi-truck on U.S. Highway 65 at 110th St. The Minnesota State Patrol reported the collision at approximately 1:34 p.m.
According to officials, the Ford Explorer was traveling northbound alongside the 2012 Freightliner Cascadia when the two vehicles collided. Emergency responders from Glenville Fire, Albert Lea Fire, the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Mayo Ambulance, and both Mayo and Mercy One helicopters rushed to the scene due to the severity of injuries. Several individuals inside the Ford were not wearing seat belts at the time of impact, which worsened the outcome.
The driver of the Ford Explorer, 33-year-old Perla Janeth Garcia Renteria of Albert Lea, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Albert Lea Hospital. Her passengers suffered far more serious outcomes. A 4-year-old boy from Albert Lea was critically injured and airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. A second passenger, 53-year-old Sanjuana Renteria of Albert Lea, also sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Albert Lea Hospital. Another passenger, 19-year-old Jazmyn Marie Rodriguez of Albert Lea, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester for further treatment. The driver of the semi, 74-year-old Mark Eugene Byers of Austin, was not injured and was confirmed to have been wearing a seat belt.
The roadway was dry at the time of the accident, and investigators confirmed alcohol was not involved. Highway 65 was shut down for several hours while crews provided emergency medical care, cleared the scene, and began their investigation. Authorities continue to review the details surrounding the crash.
Our thoughts are with the injured victims and their families, especially those facing life-threatening injuries. We hope for their recovery and healing during this difficult time.
Highway Collisions in Minnesota
Crashes between passenger vehicles and semi-trucks, such as the one reported Wednesday on Highway 65, often result in devastating consequences. The size and weight of a Freightliner compared to a Ford Explorer leave occupants of smaller vehicles at extreme risk of severe injury. In this case, the lack of seat belt use by several passengers greatly increased the seriousness of their injuries, underscoring the critical importance of restraint use in preventing fatalities.
Highway 65 in Freeborn County is a heavily used travel corridor that carries both commercial trucking and local traffic. These rural highways can be especially dangerous due to high speeds, limited shoulders, and fewer traffic control devices. Left with little margin for error, collisions often have severe results. Minnesota crash data continues to show that unbelted occupants account for a disproportionate number of the state’s serious and fatal crashes.
For the families affected, the challenges ahead will involve long hospital stays, rehabilitation, emotional trauma, and the financial stress that comes with such sudden loss of stability. The aftermath of such collisions is often just as overwhelming as the initial crash itself, requiring coordinated support systems and community resources.
If you or someone you know has been hurt in a crash like the one on Highway 65, Local Accident Reports can provide connections to medical resources and recovery support. We are here to help guide victims and families through the difficult process of healing and moving forward after a serious accident. Reach out today to learn more about the resources available to you.
