HAY CREEK TWP, Goodhue County, Minn., Sept. 21, 2026 — A motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries Sunday afternoon, September 20, when his motorcycle collided with a car on Minnesota Highway 58 at Hay Creek Trail. A helicopter crew flew him to a hospital in Rochester.
The Minnesota State Patrol said a Ford Fusion was heading north on Highway 58 while a Harley Davidson Road Glide was headed south when the two collided just after 4:20 p.m.
The motorcyclist, a 39 year old man from Ellsworth, Wisconsin, was airlifted by Mayo One helicopter to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford Fusion, a 25 year old man from Randolph, Minnesota, was taken to Mayo Hospital in Red Wing with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Goodhue County Sheriff's Office deputies, Red Wing Fire and Ambulance, and Goodhue Fire responded to the scene along with the medical helicopter crew.
The crash remains under investigation. We wish the injured a swift and full recovery.
How Investigators Piece Together a Motorcycle and Car Collision
Work at the scene of a crash like this one starts with measurements, photographs, and witness statements gathered before anything is moved. Troopers document skid marks, debris fields, and vehicle positions because that physical evidence often tells investigators more than any single account of what happened. In cases involving a motorcycle, investigators also look closely at sight lines and closing speeds, since those factors are frequently central to how the collision occurred.
A full reconstruction can take weeks. Speed calculations, mechanical inspections, and sometimes computer modeling of the vehicles' paths all feed into a final report. Toxicology results, when samples are drawn, typically take longer than the initial crash report because labs process them in batches and confirm results before they're released.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, passenger vehicles made up 92 percent of registered vehicles and 89 percent of vehicle miles traveled in 2023. That gap matters in reconstructions involving motorcycles, since investigators have to account for very different weights, speeds, and crash dynamics between the two types of vehicles when determining what happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do road and weather conditions factor into crashes like this?
Even on dry pavement, as was reported in this crash, visibility, sun glare, and vehicle speed can all affect a driver's ability to react. Investigators typically note road surface conditions as one of several factors reviewed during a crash investigation.
What should someone do immediately after a car or motorcycle crash?
Call 911, stay as safe as possible away from traffic, and avoid moving anyone with a suspected serious injury unless there's an immediate danger. Exchange information with the other driver if it's safe to do so and cooperate with responding officers.
Where do most car and motorcycle crashes happen?
Many serious crashes occur at intersections or where two roads meet, similar to the setup described in this incident, because that's where vehicle paths cross and drivers have to judge gaps in traffic or oncoming vehicles.
What to Do After a Motorcycle and Car Crash in Hay Creek Twp, Minnesota
Anyone involved in or affected by a crash like this should seek medical evaluation promptly, even if injuries seem minor at first. Some injuries, especially from a motorcycle collision, aren't immediately obvious. Keep copies of any medical records, the crash report once it's available, and photos of the scene if you were able to take them.
Follow up with the investigating agency for updates on the report, since it can take time to finalize. Reach out to your insurance company early to start the claims process, and give yourself time to recover both physically and emotionally before making major decisions related to the crash.
