Sumter Twp, MN (May 13, 2026) – Two people were hurt after a straight truck and a passenger car collided on Wednesday, May 13, on southbound Highway 15 near Brownton in McLeod County. The crash was reported at approximately 10:08 a.m. under dry road conditions.
Both a 2013 Peterbilt straight truck and a 2015 Ford Taurus were heading south on Highway 15 when they collided. The Peterbilt was driven by Tyler Christopher Whitney, 21, of Brownton. The Ford Taurus was driven by Shirley Jean Meece, 78, of Hutchinson, who had a passenger in the vehicle. No airbags deployed in either vehicle.
Shirley Meece and her passenger, Kimberly Marie Meece, 46, of Stewart, both suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Both were taken to Glencoe Health for treatment. Whitney was not hurt and was not taken to a hospital.
All three occupants were wearing seat belts, and alcohol was not suspected in either vehicle. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available. Our thoughts are with Shirley and Kimberly Meece as they recover.
What Makes Crashes Between Large Trucks and Passenger Cars Dangerous in Minnesota?
Crashes between commercial straight trucks and passenger vehicles often result in uneven outcomes due to the significant size and weight differences between the two. A passenger car has far less structural protection than a large truck, which means the people inside the smaller vehicle are more likely to feel the full force of the impact. This size gap is one reason why injuries in these crashes often fall on the occupants of the lighter vehicle.
Southern Minnesota highways, such as Highway 15, see regular commercial truck traffic moving between towns and agricultural areas. Drivers sharing the road with large trucks need extra space to account for the truck’s longer stopping distance and wider profile. Even at lower speeds, contact between a truck and a car can cause significant harm to those in the passenger vehicle.
