Updated: This story has been updated to correct the vehicle roles in this accident.
SPICER -- Three people were taken to the hospital, including a New London woman who was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital, for treatment of injuries sustained in a three-vehicle crash around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 71 and County Road 29 north of Ringo Lake.
According to the State Patrol, Paige Hakeneis, 18, of Brooten, was driving a 1995 Ford Explorer northbound on Highway 71 and rear-ended a 2002 Mercury Sable driven by Ramona Hjelle, 51, of New London. Hjelle's vehicle, which was slowing to turn left onto County Road 29, was pushed into the southbound lane, where it was struck by a 1980 Mack truck driven by Jerome L. Kluver, 51, of New London.
Kluver swerved to avoid the collision, but was unable to avoid striking Hjelle's vehicle. The truck entered the ditch and came to rest on its top.
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Hjelle was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Hakeneis and Kluver were transported to Rice Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening conditions.
Also responding were the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office, Willmar and Spicer fire departments. The Minnesota Duty Officer was also notified of the diesel fuel spill.
Three escape serious injury following grisly crash
A three-vehicle crash occurred around 2 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 71 and County Road 29 north of Willmar.
Paige Hakeneis, 18, of Brooten, and Jerome Kluver, 51, of New London, were transported to Rice Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening conditions.
Ramona Hjelle, 51, of New London, was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
According to the State Patrol, Paige Hakeneis, 18, of Brooten, was driving a 1995 Ford Explorer northbound on Highway 71 and rear-ended a 2002 Mercury Sable driven by Ramona Hjelle, 51, of New London. Hjelle's vehicle, which was slowing to turn left onto County Road 29, was pushed into the southbound lane, where it was struck by a 1980 Mack truck driven by Jerome L. Kluver, 51, of New London.
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Kluver's truck flipped into the ditch south of the collision and leaked diesel.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota State Patrol and Spicer Fire Department all responded to the scene.
