McLeod Co., MN (May 14, 2026) – A semi-truck and a pickup truck collided at the intersection of US Highway 212 and Dairy Avenue in Helen Township, leaving multiple people hurt.
The crash occurred on Wednesday, May 13, at approximately 2:07 p.m. A 2021 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling northbound on Dairy Avenue when it collided with a 2020 Freightliner semi traveling eastbound on US-212. Airbags deployed in both vehicles.
The Silverado was driven by Cynthia Eileen Schweiss, 63, of Hutchinson, Minnesota. She was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. An 85-year-old female passenger from Hutchinson was also in the vehicle; additional details about her condition are expected to be released later Thursday. The semi’s driver, Mahmut Lacin, 23, of Centerville, Ohio, was taken to Glencoe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. While alcohol was not suspected as a factor for either driver, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available.
We are thinking of all those hurt and hope for full recoveries.
What Makes US Highway and Rural Road Intersections Dangerous in Minnesota?
Intersections where rural county roads meet US highways in Minnesota present a well-documented safety challenge. Vehicles on the side road must cross or enter a higher-speed highway, often with limited sight lines and without traffic signals to manage the flow. When a smaller vehicle and a large commercial truck meet at one of these crossings, the difference in size and weight can make outcomes significantly more severe for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
Semi-trucks require much more stopping distance than passenger vehicles, which means a collision at a rural highway crossing can happen before a truck driver has any realistic chance to brake. Minnesota sees dozens of serious crashes each year at uncontrolled or stop-sign-only intersections along its state and US highway network. These incidents have prompted ongoing discussions about adding rumble strips, improved signage, and other safety measures at high-risk rural crossings across the state.
