Ormsby, Watonwan County (trfnews.i234.me) — A morning commute took a dangerous turn in rural Minnesota when a pickup truck collided with a van in a T-bone crash at a Watonwan County intersection.
The incident happened at 6:48 a.m. on Tuesday, when a 2002 GMC Sierra, driven northbound on Highway 4, struck a 2020 Ford Transit Connect van that was traveling eastbound on County Road 8.
The vehicles collided in the intersection, sending emergency responders rushing to the scene in Ormsby, MN.
Drivers Involved:
GMC Sierra (No Airbags Deployed):
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Driver: Wyatt Bryan Wentland, 21, Trimont – Uninjured
Ford Transit Connect (Airbags Deployed):
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Driver: Scott Thomas Paukner, 58, Slayton – Non-life-threatening injuries, transported to Saint James Hospital
Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, and no alcohol was involved, according to authorities.
Responding Agencies:
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Watonwan County Sheriff’s Office
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Saint James Ambulance
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Ormsby Fire and First Responders
The crash remains under investigation, and no citations have been reported as of the latest update.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News
Did You Know?
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Intersection collisions account for over 30% of all crashes in the U.S.
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Side-impact crashes (T-bones) are among the most dangerous, especially without side airbags.
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Rural intersections often lack traffic lights or clear visibility, increasing crash risk—especially at dawn or dusk.