MONTICELLO TWP, Wright County, Minn., Oct. 9, 2026 — Two people were hurt on Wednesday morning, October 7, when a car struck a parked Minnesota Department of Transportation truck on westbound Interstate 94 in Monticello Township. The Minnesota State Patrol said the crash happened near milepost 191 shortly before noon.
A 2026 Kia Sportage was traveling westbound in the left lane when it struck a parked MnDOT plow truck that was part of a lane closure detail, according to the state patrol report. The truck's driver was not injured.
The Kia's driver, a 20-year-old woman from Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and her passenger, a 20-year-old woman from Waite Park, Minnesota, were both taken to Saint Cloud Hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Investigators said the road surface was dry at the time of the crash.
The Wright County Sheriff's Office, Monticello Fire Department and Centra Care Ambulance responded to the scene. The state patrol has marked the incident report complete, though the circumstances leading up to the crash remain under review.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
Where Work-Zone and Shoulder Crashes Tend to Happen
Crashes involving parked service vehicles or lane-closure details cluster on interstates and divided highways, where traffic moves at high speed past a narrow work area. A momentary lapse in attention, a merge made too late, or a driver misjudging the taper into a closed lane can turn a routine detail into a collision.
These incidents are common wherever MnDOT, utility crews, or emergency responders stop briefly in or near a travel lane, especially on stretches with limited sightlines, curves, or heavy commercial traffic. Drivers usually have only a few seconds to react once a parked vehicle or flashing light comes into view.
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 volume of everyday passenger traffic passing through narrow, temporary work zones is part of why even short lane closures carry real risk for both drivers and crews on foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I'm involved in a crash with a parked work vehicle?
Stop immediately if it's safe to do so, check on everyone involved, and call 911. Move to the shoulder or a safe area if your vehicle is drivable, and wait for law enforcement to document the scene.
What injuries are common in highway crashes like this?
Even at moderate speeds, occupants can suffer whiplash, head or chest injuries, and broken bones from the sudden impact. Seat belts and following distance reduce the severity of these injuries but don't eliminate risk.
How does speed affect the severity of a crash like this?
Higher speeds give drivers less time to react to a lane closure or parked vehicle, and they increase the force of impact. Reducing speed through work zones gives drivers more room to slow down or change lanes safely.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Monticello Twp, Minnesota
If you're involved in a crash on I-94 or another highway in the Monticello Township area, get to a safe location and call for medical help if anyone is injured. Seek a medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms don't appear right away. Keep a copy of the state patrol's incident report and any medical records for your own files, and give yourself time to recover before making other decisions.
