Rockford, MN (September 21, 2024) – Two people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a two-vehicle collision that occurred Saturday evening at the intersection of Highway 55 and Main Street in Rockford, according to information released by the Minnesota State Patrol.
The crash took place at approximately 7:01 p.m. in Wright County. Authorities say a 2018 Ford Escape was stopped at the intersection of Hwy 55 preparing to turn north onto Main Street. At the same time, a 2003 Ford F-350 was traveling westbound on Hwy 55 when the two vehicles collided under dry road conditions.
The Ford Escape was occupied by driver Sandra Lynn Heston, 80, and her passenger, Gerald Woodrow Heston, 83, both of Spring Lake Park. Both individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to Mercy Hospital for further evaluation and care. The airbags deployed in their vehicle, and both were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Ford F-350, 63-year-old Bill James Plamann of Dassel, was not injured and did not require hospitalization. Authorities confirmed that no alcohol was involved and that both drivers were restrained properly.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office and Rockford Fire Department assisted on the scene. The incident remains under investigation.
We extend our best wishes for a full and swift recovery to Sandra and Gerald Heston.
Car Accidents in Minnesota
Intersections such as Highway 55 and Main Street in Rockford pose unique safety challenges, particularly for elderly drivers or those unfamiliar with high-speed rural highways. While road conditions were dry at the time of this crash, timing errors or misjudgment during left-hand turns across traffic are among the leading causes of intersection collisions in Minnesota.
In this case, the crash involved senior occupants—a group statistically more vulnerable to injury due to age-related fragility. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, nearly 25% of traffic fatalities and a significant portion of serious injuries involve individuals over the age of 65, even though they make up a smaller percentage of licensed drivers. Fortunately, both victims here were wearing seat belts, and the airbag deployment likely prevented more severe outcomes.
Highway 55 is a busy east-west corridor connecting several growing communities in Wright County. Traffic volumes have increased in recent years due to suburban expansion, making intersections like Main Street more hazardous—particularly during evening hours when visibility begins to diminish.
Crashes like this one remind all drivers to take extra caution at intersections, especially when crossing or turning across active lanes of travel. For injured passengers, especially seniors, navigating the aftermath involves medical follow-ups, insurance processes, and often emotional recovery as well.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a crash in Wright County or greater Minnesota, it’s important to seek both medical and legal support to protect your well-being and understand your rights.
Even when crashes aren’t life-threatening, their impact can linger. At Local Accident Reports, we help Minnesotans get the information and support they need after serious collisions. If you or a loved one was injured in a crash like the one on Hwy 55 in Rockford, reach out to Local Accident Reports today and let us help guide your next steps.
