St. Augusta, MN (June 26, 2026) – One person was taken to a hospital on Thursday afternoon, June 25, after a three-vehicle crash on Highway 15 in St. Augusta. The accident happened around 12:44 p.m. at County Road 136 in Stearns County.
The Minnesota State Patrol said a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan was traveling east on County Road 47. A 2026 Nissan Rogue was heading south on Highway 15 when the two vehicles collided in the intersection. After that initial collision, the Dodge also collided with a Mack straight truck. The Dodge’s airbag deployed.
The Dodge driver, 66-year-old Karen Marie Pilarski of Clear Lake, was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. The Nissan driver and the Mack truck driver were not hurt.
Mayo Ambulance, St. Augusta Fire, and Stearns County officials assisted after the collision. Detectives are reviewing the wreck at Highway 15 and County Road 136.
We hope the injured driver receives steady care and recovers fully.
How Intersection Crashes Can Involve Multiple Vehicles
Intersection crashes can involve several vehicles when one collision pushes a vehicle into another lane or nearby traffic. A first impact may change a vehicle’s direction before drivers around it have time to react.
Highways that meet county roads can also create added risk because traffic may be moving at different speeds. Drivers entering, crossing, or turning through the intersection may have limited time to judge approaching vehicles.
After a multi-vehicle accident, investigators usually review travel direction, right-of-way, traffic controls, vehicle damage, and final stopping points. These details can help clarify the order of events, especially when more than two vehicles are involved.
