COATES, MN — A Bayport man suffered life-threatening injuries Wednesday morning after his pickup truck collided with a semi trailer on Hwy. 52 near Coates. The crash shut down the highway’s southbound lanes for several hours while troopers investigated.
The Minnesota State Patrol said the wreck happened shortly before 7 a.m. at the J-turn intersection of Hwy. 52 and 200th Street, about 12 miles north of Cannon Falls.
How The Crash Happened
According to the state crash report, the pickup was traveling south when it drifted into the J-turn lane used to access northbound Hwy. 52. The pickup then struck the back of a trailer being pulled by a semi that was stopped in the turn lane.
The crash involved only the two drivers, and no other vehicles were reported.
Driver Hurt In Collision
Authorities identified the pickup driver as 41-year-old Eric Rudolph Rudd of Bayport. He was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul with critical, life-threatening injuries, the State Patrol said.
The semi driver was identified as 32-year-old Joseph James Mowry of Duluth. Troopers said Mowry was not injured.
Seat Belts And Alcohol
The crash report said both drivers were wearing seat belts. It also said alcohol was not a factor in the collision.
The southbound lanes of Hwy. 52 remained closed for a multi-hour stretch after the crash. No additional details were immediately released.
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