One person is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries following a crash involving a semi and two pickup trucks in Washington County on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the incident occurred just before 2 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 95 (Manning Avenue) and 70th Street South. A northbound semi collided with a 2011 GMC Sierra pickup truck traveling east on 70th Street, causing the pickup to veer into another GMC Sierra in the southbound lanes.
The semi driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital. Shane Loughney, 48, the driver of the eastbound GMC Sierra from Woodville, Wisconsin, was transported to Regions Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the second pickup also had non-life-threatening injuries but did not require hospitalization.
Cottage Grove Public Safety noted that the significant crash prompted the Minnesota Department of Transportation to initially close traffic in the area. As of 5:15 p.m., 70th Street South has reopened in both directions, and southbound Highway 95 is open as well. However, northbound Highway 95 remains closed.
Chopper 5’s aerial footage revealed the semi on its side, partially in the grass. Emergency personnel, including the MN State Patrol, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Hastings EMS, responded to the scene, which remains under investigation.