RICHMOND, Stearns County, Minn., Sept. 27, 2026 — A pedestrian was injured on Saturday night, September 26, after being struck by an SUV on Highway 23 near St. Francis Street in Richmond, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The State Patrol said a 2024 Ford Bronco was traveling southbound on Highway 23 near St. Francis St. when it struck a pedestrian, identified as a Richmond man. The crash was reported at 10:18 p.m. on dry pavement.
The pedestrian, Grant George Rossberg, suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening and was taken to St. Cloud Hospital, the report said. The driver, identified as a 39-year-old Clements woman, and a passenger in the vehicle were not hurt, according to the State Patrol.
Cold Spring Police, the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, Richmond Fire and Rescue, and Mayo EMS responded to the scene. The State Patrol said its information on the crash is believed to be complete, though the circumstances leading up to the collision remain under review.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
Where Pedestrian Crashes Concentrate on Rural Highways
Pedestrian crashes outside major cities tend to cluster on stretches like Highway 23, undivided highways that carry higher speeds through small towns without the crosswalks, lighting, or medians found in denser urban areas. Drivers moving at highway speed often have little time to react when someone is walking along or crossing the roadway, especially where sidewalks are limited or absent.
These roads frequently pass directly through residential blocks or town centers, meaning pedestrians and vehicles share the same corridor with few physical barriers between them. Intersections without signals, like the one near St. Francis Street, add another layer of risk because neither drivers nor pedestrians get a clear, controlled cue for when to go.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 77 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark in 2023. Darkness compounds the visibility problems already built into these road types, particularly where street lighting is sparse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
In Minnesota, drivers are generally required to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. Pedestrians must still use reasonable care, but a vehicle turning or approaching a crosswalk is expected to stop and let them pass.
How can drivers reduce the risk of hitting a pedestrian?
Slowing down in areas with foot traffic, scanning the roadside at night, and avoiding distractions near intersections all help. Reduced speed gives a driver more time to see a pedestrian and stop.
What injuries are most common in pedestrian accidents?
Broken bones, head injuries, and internal injuries are common, since a pedestrian has no protection from the impact of a vehicle. Severity often depends on vehicle speed at the moment of impact.
What are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents?
Driver inattention, low visibility, speeding, and unsignalled crossings are frequent factors, along with pedestrians stepping into traffic outside a marked crossing.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Richmond, MN
Anyone involved in or who witnesses a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately and stay at the scene until help arrives. Even injuries that seem minor at first can turn out to be more serious, so a hospital evaluation is worth getting regardless of how someone feels in the moment.
It helps to write down what was observed while it's fresh, including where people were standing, what the lighting looked like, and any details about the vehicles involved. A copy of the official police report can also be useful later for insurance or medical follow-up. Richmond residents dealing with the aftermath of a crash like this should lean on the local hospital and support resources as they recover.
