Stearns County, MN — March 24, 2025, Two people were injured following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred at around 6:30 A.M. on Highway 71.

Officials are investigating after an 18-wheeler accident left two people injured on the morning of March 24th. According to official statements, a Chevy Equinox operated by Brian Rademacher was heading south on Highway 71 and was approaching the intersection with Greencrest Road when for unknown reasons it collided with a GMC Canyon operated by Theresa Sandvig and an 18-wheeler operated by Ronald Robinson.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that Rademacher and Sandvig had sustained injuries and they were transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released about the accident, including the status of Rademacher and Sandvig, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Anytime a crash involves multiple vehicles—especially when one of them is an 18-wheeler—it’s important not to jump to conclusions about who was at fault. From the outside, it may seem like a matter of which driver made the wrong move, but legally speaking, the real answers usually lie in understanding what each vehicle was doing in the moments leading up to the collision.

One of the first things investigators should do is pull data from the 18-wheeler’s Electronic Control Module, or ECM. That data can help establish whether the truck was accelerating, braking, or maintaining a steady speed before the crash. It won’t explain everything, but it gives a clear starting point to figure out how the crash unfolded.

With three vehicles involved, it’s also important to understand visibility, traffic flow, and timing at the intersection. Did all drivers have a clear line of sight? Were traffic signals or signs obeyed? Did any vehicle make an unexpected maneuver that gave the others no time to react? These are the kinds of questions that don’t get answered just by measuring skid marks or reading damage patterns.

And while it’s common to focus on the actions of the smaller vehicles, the role of the commercial vehicle deserves special attention. Was the truck operating under a tight delivery schedule? Was the driver fatigued or under pressure? Was the truck itself in good mechanical condition? These aren’t abstract concerns—they’re real factors that often come up in the cases I’ve handled over the years.

Too often, crash investigations stop at what’s immediately visible at the scene. But when people are seriously hurt, that’s not enough. A complete investigation should go beyond surface details and look at driver behavior, vehicle data, and any company practices that may have contributed to the situation. That’s the only way to reach accurate conclusions and ensure accountability ends up where it belongs.