Rockford Twp., MN (July 20, 2026) – Two drivers received medical care after a three-vehicle collision on Saturday, July 18. The accident happened at about 4:00 p.m. at Highway 55 and County Road 32 in Wright County.
A 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe and a 2016 Mazda CX-5 were both traveling west on Highway 55 when they made contact. An eastbound 2007 GMC Envoy then collided with the Mazda.
The Santa Fe driver, 24-year-old Andrea Rose Waterhouse of Buffalo, had non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Buffalo Hospital. The Mazda driver, 23-year-old Olivia Courage Duo of Plymouth, was brought to North Memorial Hospital in Maple Grove with the same injury classification.
The Envoy driver, 17-year-old Noah James Frieler of Buffalo, was not hurt. His passengers, 18-year-old Jake Thomas Larkin and 18-year-old Erik Arthur Salhus, also avoided harm. Authorities continue reviewing how the vehicles came into contact.
We hope both women have a smooth and complete recovery.
How Chain-Reaction Collisions Can Involve Opposing Traffic
A chain-reaction collision may begin when two vehicles traveling in the same direction make contact. The force can redirect one car into another lane, creating a second point of contact within seconds.
Opposing traffic may have little time to avoid a vehicle that suddenly crosses the centerline. Speed, steering input, braking, and the angle of the first contact can influence where each vehicle moves afterward.
Road markings, tire marks, debris, and final vehicle positions can help explain the sequence. Damage patterns could show which parts of the vehicles came together first and how their paths changed. Seat belts and airbags can reduce the risk of severe harm by keeping occupants inside the passenger compartment and limiting movement during sudden directional changes.
