Lake Sarah Twp., MN (June 26, 2026) – One person was injured on Thursday afternoon, June 25, after a crash involving a semi and a Buick on Highway 59 in Murray County. The accident happened around 2:55 p.m. at 211th Street in Lake Sarah Township.
The Minnesota State Patrol said a 2005 Buick LeSabre was traveling north on Highway 59. A 2014 Kenworth semi was heading south on the same highway when the vehicles collided.
The Buick driver, 21-year-old Hayden Lee Andrews of Grove City, was taken to Slayton Hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. The Buick’s airbag deployed. The semi driver, 58-year-old Mark Leo Bernardy of Milroy, was not hurt. State Patrol reported that both drivers were wearing seat belts, and alcohol was not suspected.
The road surface was dry at the time of the collision. Murray County officials, Murray County Ambulance, Shetek First Responders, and Slayton Fire Department assisted at the site; they are still reviewing the wreck on Highway 59 at 211th Street.
We hope the injured driver receives proper care and recovers safely.
Why Semi Crashes on Rural Highways Can Be Serious
Semi crashes on rural highways can be dangerous because large trucks weigh far more than passenger vehicles. When a car and a semi collide, the smaller vehicle usually absorbs much of the force.
Two-lane highways can also leave drivers with limited space to react. Vehicles moving in opposite directions may close the distance quickly, especially when there is no median or wide separation between lanes.
After a crash involving a semi, investigators may review travel direction, lane position, vehicle damage, and road conditions. Even when the roadway is dry, the size difference between the vehicles can make injuries more likely for people in smaller cars.
