Castle Rock Township, MN (May 25, 2026) – A 19-year-old passenger died Sunday afternoon following a two-vehicle collision on Highway 3 near 255th Street in Castle Rock Township, Dakota County. The wreck occurred at approximately 3:34 p.m. under dry road conditions. Two vehicles were involved.
According to the crash report, a 2008 Chevy Suburban traveling southbound crossed the center lane lines and made contact with a northbound 2014 Ford Fusion near 225th Street. The Suburban’s driver, 36-year-old David James Miller of Oakdale, MN, was hurt and taken to Regions Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Whether alcohol was a factor for Miller is listed as pending.
The driver of the Ford Fusion, 18-year-old Arianna Grace Hess of Farmington, MN, was also hurt and taken to Regions Hospital. Her injuries were listed as non-life-threatening, and alcohol was not suspected. Both Hess and Miller were wearing seat belts, and airbags deployed in both vehicles.
The passenger in the Fusion, 19-year-old Adin Nathaniel Castle of Faribault, MN, was pronounced dead, though he was also wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. No further details about Castle’s death were available in the initial report.
The cause of the Suburban crossing into oncoming traffic remains under review, and additional findings will be shared as the inquiry progresses. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Adin Nathaniel Castle.
What Factors Are Typically Examined After a Fatal Head-On Crash in Minnesota?
Head-on crashes are among the deadliest types of road collisions because the combined force of two vehicles moving toward each other is far greater than in most other crash types. When a vehicle crosses the center line, investigators typically look at several possible causes: driver fatigue, distraction, a medical episode, overcorrection, or impairment.
In Minnesota, crash reports from the State Patrol include details on seat belt use, airbag deployment, alcohol suspicion, and road conditions, all of which factor into how the collision is ultimately classified. When alcohol is listed as pending rather than confirmed or ruled out, it generally means testing results were not yet available at the time of the initial report. Toxicology results can take weeks and often shape the direction of any follow-up legal proceedings.
