Long Prairie man dies, woman injured in off-highway vehicle crash in Morrison County
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One person died and another was seriously injured in a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle crash Sunday evening in Morrison County.
The Minnesota State Patrol said the crash occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on Highway 28 near Swanville.
The Polaris Ranger was navigating around a curve when it ran off the road, hit a driveway approach and rolled, the state patrol said.
The driver, 44-year-old Eric Spaeth of Long Prairie, was killed. His passenger, 45-year-old Nicole Spaeth, was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Neither one was wearing a seat belt or helmet, according to the state patrol.
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It's been a deadly month for off-highway vehicle riders in Minnesota. Nineteen people have died in crashes across the state this year, including seven in October alone.
All-terrain vehicle use has surged across Minnesota, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the number of registered vehicles has been on the rise.
Side-by-side ATVs, also known as utility task vehicles, are becoming increasingly popular, but can travel at high speeds and carry a risk of rollovers. Riders can be ejected or crushed when they’re not restrained.
Safety experts urge riders to always wear helmets and seat belts, and ride on designated trails at safe speeds.
