UPDATED: 4:30 p.m.
WILLMAR -- A pickup truck slammed into a Kandiyohi County squad car Thursday morning head-on as it was stopped at a crash scene, becoming the second of two crashes within minutes on the same stretch of Highway 71 south of Willmar.
According to the State Patrol, the first crash happened just after 8 a.m., when a 2007 Dodge Caravan attempted to pass a 2003 Buick Rendezvous as both traveled south on Highway 71.
The road was icy, and the Dodge lost control near 150th Avenue Southeast, sideswiping the buick and pushing it into the ditch.
Buick driver Maria Elena Gutierrez, 46, of Willmar, was transported to Rice Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
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Dodge driver Mahad Mohamud Hanshi, 26, of Willmar, and passenger Mowlid Abdisamad Hassan, 33, of Savage, were not injured.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, Blomkest First Responders and Lake Lillian Ambulance were called to the scene along with the State Patrol.
As one Kandiyohi County squad car traveled north to the scene just minutes later, it slowed down and pulled over to the shoulder, with emergency lights activated, to turn around for the crash which was in the opposite ditch.
According to the State Patrol, a 1998 Chevrolet Pickup traveling south at that time lost control on the icy road, crossed the centerline and struck that squad car head-on.
Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Fischer, 37, of Willmar, had been driving the squad car. He had a few scrapes, according to Sheriff Dan Hartog, but was not hospitalized. His passenger, Kandiyohi County Deputy Brandon James Grimsley, 34, of Willmar, was transported to Rice Hospital in Willmar with non-life threatening injuries.
Hartog said Grimsley is new at the Sheriff’s Office, and just started last week. He was training with Fischer at the time of the crash.
“Thankfully both of them are OK,” he said. “This is just a reminder to slow down on the roads out there.”
Grimsley was treated for minor injuries and released.
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Chevrolet driver Ramon Castillo, 69, of Willmar, was not injured, the Patrol said.
Blomkest Fire and Willmar Ambulance were then called to the scene to assist with the second crash. All had been wearing seatbelts in both crashes.
Hartog said Thursday’s sunny sky was deceiving: Highway 71 was, at least in this spot, glare ice.
“Be aware of the road conditions and watch your speed,” he said.
The squad car, a few years old, was severely damaged, its front end smashed in.
