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Politics and Government News
MPR News Staff

Blaha, Franzen injured in crash with semitrailer in SW Minnesota

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Updated: 1:13 p.m.

Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha and state Sen. Melisa Franzen of Edina were injured Wednesday in a collision with a semitrailer in southwestern Minnesota as they were returning to the Twin Cities together from the Farmfest agriculture expo.

The accident happened just after 5 p.m. The two elected DFLers say they have been released from the hospital. They addressed their conditions Thursday in statements posted to Twitter.

According to a Minnesota State Patrol incident report, Blaha and Franzen were driving in Redwood County headed south on County Road 13 while the semitrailer was going east on Highway 67. The two vehicles collided at the intersection in Three Lakes Township.

Blaha and Franzen suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to an area hospital. Blaha says she suffered a mild concussion. Franzen said she had scratches and bruises.

The truck driver was not injured, according to the State Patrol report. The crash remains under investigation.

Minnesota Senate DFL leader Susan Kent posted on Twitter that she had spoken to Franzen Wednesday night, writing, “I was reassured by the sound of her voice and I'm so grateful it sounds like she'll be ok.”