Crash on Highway 52 near Vermillion injures one man

A crash between a loaded semi-trailer and a full-sized pickup last Thursday evening was cause for a medical rescue, fire suppression and hazardous material management all at the same time.

The semi, which was driving northbound on Highway 52, struck a full-sized pickup that crossed the highway in front of it.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol report, James Mike, 53 of Hastings, was eastbound on 200th Street (County Road 66) and failed to yield for traffic on Highway 52. The report states that Mike drove across the highway at a moderate to high rate of speed and crashed into the semi.

The impact was severe enough that debris from the crash struck two other vehicles and caused some damage to them as well, according to the report. Officers noted Mike had a strong odor of alcohol, and a preliminary breath test showed Mike’s blood-alcohol concentration to be .12.

Following the collision, the semi jack-knifed and slid into the ditch, said Hastings Fire and EMS Director Mike Schutt. The semi’s axles also broke and the fuel tank was punctured. Sparks from sliding ignited the fuel. Hastings firefighters extinguished the fire and created a dike to contain the still-leaking fuel. The Minnesota Duty Officer, MnDOT and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency worked together to clean up the fuel.

Mike was transported to Regions Hospital. The driver of the semi reported no injuries.

Hastings firefighters stayed on scene till about 1:30 a.m., but the road was closed well into the morning.

Tags: 4 accidents, news, hastings, minnesota, spiral, local