Two dead, state trooper injured in Cannon Falls

A Minnesota State Patrol cruiser en route to a crash with injuries fatally collided with a Ford Taurus that pulled out in front of the squad car in Cannon Falls.

News photos from the scene appeared to show the Taurus driver's side front wheel and axle embedded in the smashed front of the squad car.

A helicopter airlifted the trooper to the Mayo Clinic. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to the State Patrol.

The incident happened at 65th Avenue and County Road 24 at about 2:30 p.m.

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State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske says the trooper's squad had its lights flashing and sirens activated. He says the other vehicle pulled out of a parking lot, and the trooper's squad slammed into it.

The collision killed the 78-year-old man driving the other vehicle, and his passenger, a 79-year-old woman.

State Patrol Lt. Col. Matt Langer says authorities haven't determined how fast the trooper was going.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.