Carrolton Twp, MN (June 7, 2026) – Two people were hurt following a two-vehicle collision along Highway 16 in Fillmore County on Saturday, June 6.
The Minnesota State Police reports said that a 2005 Harley FLHTCI motorcycle was traveling westbound on Highway 16 near County Road 21 in Carrolton Township when it collided with an eastbound 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage at about 5:12 p.m.
The motorcycle operator, 57-year-old Mathew Christian Barnholtz of Winona, received non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. His passenger, 53-year-old Linnea Birgitta Rice of Galesville, Wisconsin, was left with life-threatening harm and was also taken to the same medical facility.
Investigators said that alcohol use was suspected for Barnholtz. The Mitsubishi driver, 74-year-old Robert Lee of Rochester, was not injured.
Emergency units assisted those involved on the roadway. Further details about the collision have not yet been released as MSP continue reviewing the cause.
We are keeping the injured parties in our thoughts as they recover.
Why Motorcycle Safety Equipment Can Affect Injury Severity
Protective gear can greatly reduce the seriousness of injuries during motorcycle crashes. Helmets are especially effective in lowering the risk of severe head trauma and can improve survival rates during high-speed roadway collisions. Riders are also encouraged to wear protective jackets, gloves, boots, and reinforced pants to help reduce abrasions and other physical harm.
Road visibility is another factor often discussed after motorcycle-related wrecks. Smaller vehicles can be harder for other drivers to notice, especially on two-lane highways or rural roads. Weather, lighting, speed, and driver awareness may all influence how these roadway collisions happen. Early reports in these cases usually focus on the basic facts first, while additional findings may become available later through continued review of vehicle damage, witness statements, and roadway evidence.
