Hart Twp, MN (February 20, 2026) – A two-vehicle crash involving a passenger car and a semi-truck left a woman injured Thursday morning in Winona County. Emergency units responded to the scene around 11:50 a.m. on northbound Highway 43 at Milepost 28.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze and a 2000 Peterbilt semi were both traveling northbound when they collided. The roadway was reported to be dry at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Chevrolet, Laura Lynn Kahoun, 42, of Rushford, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. She was taken to Mayo Health System in La Crosse for treatment. The driver of the semi, Gary Eugene Chadbourn, 70, of Minnesota City, was not injured.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available. We are thinking of those injured as they receive medical care.
How Same-Direction Crashes with Semi-Trucks Happen on Rural Highways
Collisions involving passenger vehicles and semi-trucks can occur even when both are traveling in the same direction. On highways like Hwy 43, traffic often moves at steady speeds, but changes in spacing or sudden braking can lead to a crash.
Large trucks require longer stopping distances than smaller vehicles. If traffic slows unexpectedly, drivers behind or beside a semi may have limited time to adjust. Even on dry roads, the size and weight of a truck can increase the force of impact during a collision.
Drivers sharing the road with semi-trucks should maintain safe following distances and avoid lingering in blind spots. Allowing extra space around large vehicles can help reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of a crash.
