Rochester Girl Dies at Hospital After Icy Wednesday Crash
An 8-year-old girl from Rochester has died at the hospital following a two-vehicle crash Wednesday night, family members say.
A GMC Yukon was westbound on Highway 14 near mile marker 217 when it collided with an eastbound Nissan Murano, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The highway was partially covered with snow and ice at the time of the crash, just after 6 p.m. An 8-year-old passenger in the GMC Yukon was transported to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester with life-threatening injuries.
According to a CaringBridge website update on her condition, surgeons attempted intervention but her injuries were determined to not be survivable. Her family made the decision to donate her organs Friday night.
The driver of the Yukon, Colleen Jennifer Ronningen, 43, and her 12-year-old daughter were treated at St. Marys for non-life-threatening injuries. Both were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Nissan Murano, identified as 36-year-old Kevin Douangmychit, of Rochester, sustained life-threatening injuries. He was also transported to St. Marys Hospital. Authorities confirmed that alcohol was not involved in the crash and all occupants were wearing seat belts. Responding agencies included the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, Rochester Fire Department and Mayo Ambulance.
The Minnesota State Patrol responded to two other fatal crashes Wednesday caused by icy roads. Just 15 minutes prior, Troopers responded to a crash just north of Fort Ripley where a Ford F350 driven by a 31-year-old Brainerd man lost control and rolled into the median. The driver, Stephen Michael Moran, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Wednesday morning, Troopers responded to a rollover crash on I-35 near Owatonna. There, a 1999 Ford Ranger lost control and rolled into the ditch. An infant boy was transported to the hospital but was pronounced dead.
The State Patrol said they responded to more than 575 crashes Wednesday and at least 23 jackknifed semis.
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