A 25-year-old man from Eden Valley fell to his death while cleaning a 42-foot tanker trailer July 29 near Paynesville.
On July 29, 2025, at approximately 9:47 a.m., the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office responded to 23588 CR 34 in Eden Lake Township for a medical incident involving a 25-year-old man who fell into a 42-foot tanker trailer and was unresponsive. The tanker trailer was for DAF water and had approximately 1.5 feet of water inside when the man was found.
The man was identified as Elder Josue Salgado Gonzalez, 25, of Eden Valley. It was reported Gonzalez was cleaning the trailer with a hose prior to being found.
He was pulled out of the trailer and lifesaving measures were attempted. Gonzalez was transported to the Paynesville Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.