Willmar, Kandiyohi County (trfnews.i234.me) — A fatal crash west of Willmar claimed the life of a man who had stopped to help after an earlier wreck on Highway 40.
What Happened
The crash happened at about 8:09 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026. It took place at Highway 40 and 60th Street Southwest, west of Willmar.
According to the report, this was a secondary crash. The first crash involved two vehicles on eastbound Highway 40. That earlier crash did not cause injuries.
A passerby then got out of a vehicle to check on the people involved. During that effort, an eastbound 2018 Chevrolet Equinox struck the pedestrian.
Victim Identified
The victim was identified as 68-year-old Jeffrey Dean Bauman of Kerkhoven, Minnesota. He died at the scene.
Authorities said Bauman was outside a vehicle when he was hit. The report listed his injury as fatal.
Driver Information
The driver of the Chevrolet Equinox was identified as Jessica Lynn Schneider, 30, of Maynard, Minnesota.
Schneider was not injured in the crash. The report said she was wearing a seat belt. No airbag deployed.
Authorities also said alcohol was not suspected. Road conditions were reported as dry at the time of the crash.
Emergency Response
Several agencies responded to the scene. They included the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, Kandiyohi Rescue, Willmar Fire, and Pennock First Responders.
The case was handled through the St. Cloud district. The report said the information was believed complete. It was last updated at 1:15 p.m. on April 10, 2026.
Why This Crash Stands Out
This case is especially tragic because the victim appears to have stopped to help others. He was trying to check on people from the first crash.
Secondary crashes can happen fast. They are often dangerous for drivers, passengers, and anyone outside a vehicle. Safety officials often urge people to stay alert near crash scenes and move carefully around traffic.
Readers can learn more about traffic safety from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.