1 Dead in Mower County Crash on Highway 218
BY MN CRIME STAFF
One person died early Sunday after a crash between an SUV and a semi truck in Mower County, authorities say.
The collision happened around 2:37 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the intersection of Highway 218 and 285th Street in Udolpho Township, just north of Austin.
State troopers say a 31-year-old Austin man was driving a 2023 Nissan Rogue southbound on Highway 218 when he collided with a northbound 2020 Freightliner semi that was being driven in the opposite direction.
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The driver of the Nissan suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said his identity will be released later Sunday.
The semi was driven by Labh Singh Banger, 39, of Regina, Saskatchewan, who was not injured. A passenger in the semi, Varinder Bawa, 47, also of Regina, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin for treatment.
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Investigators reported airbags deployed in the Nissan while airbags did not deploy in the semi. Both men in the semi were wearing seat belts. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor and road conditions were reported as dry at the time of the crash.
The Austin Fire Department, Blooming Prairie Police Department, Mower County Sheriff’s Office and Mayo Ambulance assisted at the scene as the Minnesota State Patrol continues investigating the crash.
