Rice Co., MN (July 1, 2026) – One person was injured on Tuesday afternoon, June 30, after a two-vehicle crash on Minnesota Highway 3 in Rice County.
The collision happened around 2:50 p.m. at mile marker 5 in Cannon City Township. The Minnesota State Patrol said a 2026 Chevrolet Traverse was traveling north on Minnesota Highway 3 while a 2018 Toyota Sienna was traveling south.
The two vehicles collided, and the Chevrolet Traverse went off the roadway before coming to rest in water in the west ditch. Both vehicles had airbag deployment, according to the report.
The Toyota driver, 53-year-old Henry Fournier of Northfield, was taken to Northfield Hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The Chevrolet driver, 67-year-old Marilyn Ann Maas of Northfield, was not hurt. The Rice County crash remains under review as officials work to confirm the full sequence.
We hope Fournier receives the care needed and recovers fully.
Ditch Crashes Can Add Risks After Two-Vehicle Collisions
Two-vehicle crashes can become more complicated when one vehicle leaves the road after impact. A ditch can create added danger because the vehicle may hit uneven ground, drop suddenly, or come to rest in water.
When a vehicle enters water, emergency units may need to check both the occupant and the position of the vehicle carefully. Even if injuries are not life-threatening, drivers may still need medical evaluation for head, neck, chest, or airbag-related injuries.
Highway crashes in rural areas can also require a careful review of travel direction, lane position, speed, road surface, and where each vehicle stopped. These details help explain how the collision occurred and whether any roadside hazards added to the damage.
