Forest City Twp, MN (February 8, 2025) – Emergency crews responded to an injury crash involving a semi-truck and an SUV at the intersection of Highway 24 and 315th St west of Kingston in Meeker County early Thursday morning.
The accident occurred at approximately 6:20 a.m., when a 1996 Kenworth Tractor traveling eastbound on Highway 24 collided with a 2003 Saturn Vue heading north on 315th St. Emergency responders from Meeker County Sheriff’s Office, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service, Life Link Helicopter, and Litchfield Fire and Rescue were quick to the scene, providing care to the injured victim.
The driver of the Saturn Vue, Fredy Ismael Lumbi-Galeano, a 40-year-old from Litchfield, MN, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment. Authorities confirmed that airbags were deployed, and the driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. The driver of the Kenworth semi, Joshua Lawrence Grotewold, a 41-year-old from Sioux Falls, SD, was uninjured.
The road conditions were reported as dry at the time of the collision. The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the cause of the crash. Our thoughts are with those affected by this accident.
Semi-Truck Accidents in Minnesota
Collisions involving large commercial vehicles like semi-trucks often result in serious consequences due to the size and weight disparity between trucks and passenger vehicles. Intersections such as Highway 24 and 315th St in rural areas of Minnesota can present unique dangers, especially when drivers are navigating at higher speeds or failing to yield properly.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, there were over 4,000 truck-related crashes statewide in 2024, with a significant number occurring in rural counties like Meeker. Factors contributing to these accidents include driver fatigue, improper maintenance, and distracted driving.
Victims of truck accidents may face extensive medical treatments, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. Minnesota’s comparative fault system allows injured parties to seek compensation if another driver’s negligence contributed to the crash, even when both drivers share some degree of fault.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a semi-truck accident in Forest City Twp or elsewhere in Minnesota, you may be entitled to compensation. For more information or to receive help after an accident, contact Local Accident Reports.