Rice County, MN — December 29, 2025, Laura Daily was killed and another person was injured in a truck accident at about 5 p.m. on State Highway 3.

Authorities said a Chevrolet Traverse was headed north outside of Faribault when it collided with a tractor that was turning left.

Chevrolet driver Laura Jean Daily, 58, died after being transported to a local hospital, according to authorities. The 30-year-old woman who has with her was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

The tractor driver, a 64-year-old man, was not injured, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any more information about the crash at this time.

The accident is still being investigated.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Crashes involving farm equipment, like this one, often present unique challenges for investigators. At first glance, some may assume this is simply a case of a vehicle failing to yield to a turning tractor, but as with many collisions, the full story is rarely that simple. In my experience, determining who is responsible for a crash like this requires looking beyond the surface and digging into the conditions that led up to the collision.

One key question here is whether the tractor’s driver followed all the proper procedures when turning left. Was the turn signaled appropriately? Tractors are often equipped with lighting or markers to alert other drivers of their movements, but those systems don’t always function as they should. If investigators determine that the tractor’s lighting system was faulty, or the driver didn’t signal their intentions, that could factor heavily into assigning responsibility.

Additionally, visibility and road conditions are crucial in a situation like this. Tractors are large, slow-moving vehicles, and their presence on public highways can create risks, especially when visibility is limited. Investigators will need to consider whether the roadway itself played a role: was it well-lit, and were there any obstructions that might have made it difficult for the Chevrolet driver to see the tractor in time to react? Similarly, weather or pavement conditions could have affected either party’s ability to stop or maneuver safely.

We also have to ask whether the tractor was being operated within the law. This means investigating whether it was being used properly on a public roadway. Agricultural equipment doesn’t always fit neatly into traffic laws designed for standard vehicles, so it’s worth examining whether the tractor complied with Minnesota’s requirements for road travel.

Ultimately, crashes like this highlight the need for thorough investigations that don’t stop at first impressions. It’s rarely as simple as one person making a mistake: there are often a series of contributing factors, ranging from vehicle maintenance to driver behavior to the conditions of the roadway. Only by examining all these elements can investigators determine who should be held accountable, providing much needed answers for the driver's family.