STAPLES, Todd County, Minn., Oct. 2, 2026 — A teenage driver was injured Friday morning, October 2, when her car collided with a pickup truck on eastbound Highway 10 near milepost 113, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Two vehicles were involved, and a 14-year-old passenger was not hurt.
The crash happened around 8 a.m. near Staples. A 1999 GMC Sierra was heading east on Highway 10 when a 2011 Chevrolet Impala pulled out of a private driveway attempting to turn onto the highway. The two vehicles collided near the mile marker.
The GMC's driver, a 66-year-old man from Verndale, Minnesota, was not injured, the report said. The Impala's driver, a 16-year-old girl from Motley, Minnesota, suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening and was taken to Lakewood Hospital. A 14-year-old boy riding in the Impala, also from Motley, was not injured. Road conditions were dry at the time, investigators noted.
Todd County authorities, Staples Police, and the Staples Fire Department responded to the scene. The state patrol listed the case as believed complete as of Friday late morning, though any further findings would come from investigators.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
When Driveway and Intersection Crashes Happen Most
Collisions between a through vehicle and one entering from a driveway or side road tend to cluster at certain times of day rather than spreading evenly across the clock. Morning commute hours bring a mix of drivers in a hurry, low sun angles that cut visibility, and more vehicles pulling out of rural driveways and farmyards onto higher-speed highways. Afternoon and early evening carry a second peak as traffic picks up again and fatigue sets in after a full day.
Rural highways like Hwy 10 add another layer of risk. Drivers turning from a private driveway usually misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic on a road with a 55 or 60 mph limit, especially where sightlines are long and flat, and speeds feel slower than they are. Weekday mornings, when school and work traffic overlap with farm and delivery vehicles entering and leaving driveways, see a steady share of these crashes.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 6,138,359 police-reported traffic crashes occurred in 2023. Many of those involved a vehicle entering a roadway from a private drive or minor road, a pattern that repeats itself on two-lane highways across rural Minnesota and elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is distracted driving a factor in crashes like this one?
Even a few seconds of looking at a phone, dashboard screen, or passenger can keep a driver from noticing an oncoming vehicle in time to yield or brake, which matters most at driveways and intersections where split-second judgment calls are routine.
How do road and weather conditions affect intersection crashes?
Dry pavement, like that reported in this crash, removes one variable, but sun glare, fog, or wet roads can all reduce how quickly a driver entering a highway can judge the speed and distance of approaching traffic.
What should someone do immediately after a car accident?
Call 911, move to a safe location if possible, check for injuries, and wait for law enforcement to arrive and document the scene before discussing fault or insurance details.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
A large share occur at intersections and driveway entrances, where a vehicle crossing or merging into traffic must correctly judge the speed of oncoming vehicles, usually on roads with higher speed limits than drivers expect.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Staples, Minnesota
If you're involved in a crash on a highway near Staples, Minnesota, move to safety if you're able and call 911 right away. Even injuries that seem minor at first, like soreness or stiffness, can turn out to be more serious, so it's worth getting checked by a medical provider the same day.
Stay at the scene until law enforcement arrives, and give them your account of events while it's fresh. Take photos if you can, gather contact information from anyone involved, and follow up with your own doctor in the days afterward if new symptoms appear. Keeping copies of any medical paperwork and the official crash report can help later, whether for insurance or personal records.
