Red Lake County, MN — January 7, 2026, Gunner Thorpe was killed in a truck accident at about 6:50 a.m. on U.S. Highway 59 near Plummer.

Authorities said a southbound 2005 Nissan Frontier and a northbound 2023 Freightliner semi-truck collided head-on in Emardville Township.

Nissan driver Gunner Jack Thorpe, 18, of Thief River Falls died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver, a 61-year-old LaPorte man, was not injured, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Red Lake County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When folks hear that a pickup and a semi-truck collided head-on, the first question that likely comes to mind is, How does something like that even happen? With divided lanes and clear road markings, vehicles heading opposite directions aren't supposed to end up nose to nose. So when they do, there’s good reason to ask hard questions, especially when one driver loses their life and the other walks away without injury.

The early reports on this crash in Red Lake County don’t offer much beyond the basic facts: two vehicles met head-on, and the driver of the pickup was killed. What we’re not told is who crossed into whose lane, or why. That missing piece is crucial to understanding who may be responsible.

At this point, it’s not clear whether the semi-truck crossed the center line, whether the pickup did or whether something else — like black ice or a mechanical failure — was at play. Depending on which vehicle drifted into oncoming traffic, the questions shift dramatically. If the truck veered into the Nissan’s lane, that raises immediate concerns about distraction, fatigue or improper maneuvering. On the other hand, if the pickup strayed, investigators would still need to understand whether the truck had time or space to react, and whether its condition or load played any role in limiting those options.

When I handle cases like this, one of the first things I look for is the truck’s black box, or engine control module data. That tells us when the brakes were applied, how fast the vehicle was going and whether there were any sudden maneuvers. In-cab cameras, if installed, can show us where the driver’s eyes were in the moments leading up to the crash. Cell phone records can confirm or rule out distraction. And dash cams from nearby vehicles, often overlooked, can be critical in telling the full story.

It’s also worth remembering that truck crash investigations can’t stop at the driver’s actions. Trucking companies have a responsibility to vet their drivers, provide adequate training and monitor for safety issues. I’ve seen cases where drivers with spotty records were still put behind the wheel of massive vehicles, sometimes with barely a road test to check their competence. If something like that happened here, the company could bear significant responsibility.

Until more details are confirmed, there’s a long list of unanswered questions. But the path to those answers runs through evidence, not assumptions. The job of investigators, official or independent, is to collect every bit of that evidence and make sure it tells a complete and honest story.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s unclear which vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic. Critical information for determining responsibility.
• Evidence like ECM data, in-cab cameras and cell phone records may clarify what led to the head-on collision.
• Investigators should also examine the trucking company’s hiring and oversight practices.
• Responsibility in a crash like this may not rest solely with the driver, depending on what the evidence reveals.
• A thorough investigation is the only way to ensure accountability and prevent misjudgments.