A Holdingford teen was seriously injured and medevaced in a two-vehicle crash east of Holdingford May 3 that sent two other men to the hospital as well.
On May 3, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m. the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a call of a crash with injuries at the intersection of CR 17 and CR 3, east of Holdingford. The callers were reporting a T-bone style crash with airbag deployment. They also reported one vehicle was on its roof and the other vehicle was pushed into the northwest ditch of the intersection.
A Minnesota DNR officer was the first to arrive on scene and requested multiple ambulances. When Stearns County deputies arrived on scene, they determined Shailyn Welinski, 18, of Holdingford, was driving a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta northbound on CR 3 approaching the intersection of CR 17. That intersection is controlled for north and southbound traffic on CR 3 by stop signs. Ryan Harris, 33, of Melrose, was driving a 2017 Dodge Ram westbound on CR 17. The Jetta was struck in the passenger’s side at the intersection.
Welinski was transported by Life Link helicopter, Thomas Torstenson, 66, of Sauk Centre, a passenger in the truck, was transported by Mayo Ambulance, and Harris by a private party to the hospital.
The crash remains under investigation by the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Holdingford Fire Department, Mayo Ambulance, Life Link helicopter, Minnesota DNR, and the Minnesota State Patrol. The Steans County Sheriff’s Office has requested the Minnesota State Patrol assist with accident reconstruction.
