Little Sauk Twp., MN (July 21, 2026) – One passenger was injured on Sunday, July 19, in a two-vehicle collision at Highway 27 and County Road 11. The accident happened around 1:18 p.m. near milepost 101 in Todd County.
A 1992 Prevost Le Mirage was traveling north on County Road 11. A 2026 Kenworth semi-truck was heading east on Highway 27 when the vehicles made contact.
Bus passenger Barry John Hartman, 52, of Bertha, had non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency units took him to Long Prairie Hospital.
The bus driver, 59-year-old Alan Arthur Ousley of Perham, was not hurt. Passengers Aaron Clifford Bakken, 56, of Aitkin, and Jessica Marierand Hartman, 43, of Bertha, also avoided harm.
The semi driver, 31-year-old Thomas Wolfe Herhold of Fargo, North Dakota, was uninjured. The wreck remains under examination as investigators review how the vehicles came together.
We hope the injured passenger has a smooth recovery.
How Bus and Semi-Truck Size Can Shape Intersection Crashes
Buses and semi-trucks are larger and heavier than most passenger vehicles. Their size may increase the force generated when they meet at an intersection.
Both vehicle types also need more room to turn and stop. Longer bodies can extend across several lanes during a turn, while wide blind spots may make nearby traffic harder to see. Vehicle speed and contact angle can influence how occupants move inside a bus.
Seat belts can help limit sudden movement during a strike. Seating position, cabin layout, and the availability of airbags could also affect physical harm. Tire marks, debris, vehicle damage, and final resting positions can help show each vehicle’s path. Road signs, sight distance, and intersection design may provide further context about the movements before contact.
