Two men were rushed to the hospital after a head-on collision May 25 in Watab Township south of Rice.
The men injured were Darin Turck, 18, of Rice; and Chad Popp, 36, also of Rice.
According to a press release from Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck, Turck had been driving a 1998 Buick Regal westbound when it crossed the center line on Little Rock Road NE at about 1:10 p.m. At that time, it collided head-on with an eastbound 2002 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Popp. Neither driver was able to exit his vehicle after the collision, and Popp required extrication assistance from the Rice Fire Department. Both were taken to the St. Cloud Hospital by Gold Cross Ambulance. The two men’s injuries, while serious, were not considered life-threatening at the scene.
Heck’s report said it’s believed inattentive driving contributed to Turck’s vehicle crossing the center line. The accident and any possible criminal charges remain under investigation.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the accident scene by the Rice Fire and Police departments, the Minnesota State Patrol and Gold Cross Ambulance.
