New London, MN (June 14, 2026) – A two-vehicle collision in New London left one passenger injured on Friday morning, June 12. The collision was reported at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 23 in Kandiyohi County around 10:33 a.m.
A 2020 Ram 1500 was traveling westbound on Highway 9 while a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu was heading southbound on Highway 23. The two vehicles entered the intersection and collided in the crossing area.
Emergency units responded to the scene along with local fire and ambulance crews. The Malibu carried a driver and a passenger, while the Ram was occupied by a single driver. Authorities reported that airbags had deployed in both vehicles as a result of the impact.
The passenger in the Chevrolet, 63-year-old Jossie Obregon Johnson of Foley, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Willmar Hospital for treatment. The Malibu driver, 75-year-old Glendor Edward Johnson of Oak Park, and the Ram driver, 79-year-old Robert Lowell Tatge of Spicer, were not reported injured. Our thoughts are with the injured.
Why Intersection Collisions Tend to Occur on Rural Highways
Crashes at rural highway intersections can occur when drivers misjudge the speed or distance of oncoming traffic. Even in clear conditions, vehicles approaching from different directions may enter the intersection simultaneously, leaving little room to avoid a collision.
Traffic flow, sight distance, and driver awareness all play important roles in preventing these incidents. Intersections connecting two busy highways can pose additional challenges, as vehicles may be traveling at higher speeds. Safety experts often emphasize caution when approaching rural crossings, as even brief delays in reaction time can lead to a crash.
