Three Killed In Northern Minnesota Wreck; One From Steele County

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Backus, MN (KROC AM News) - A Steele County man was one of three people killed in a traffic crash in northern Minnesota late Thursday night.

It happened around 11:15 pm near the town of Backus.

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The State Patrol says an SUV driven by 55-year-old Jeffrey Wertish of Ellendale was T-boned by another vehicle that ran a stop sign. Wertish was killed as was a passenger identified as 59-year-old Robert Nelson of Carver. A second passenger identified as 25-year-old Jared Wertish of Ellendale suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The other driver was also killed. He was identified as 34-year-old Lenny Steffen of Backus.

The State Patrol says neither driver was wearing a seatbelt.

MN State Patrol

There was also a fatal crash Thursday in southwest Minnesota involving two semi-trucks.

The State Patrol reported three fatal traffic wrecks on Wednesday. One of the victims was a Rochester man who was fatally injured after crashing a truck near Austin.

News update: Another crash at bad Rochester area intersection.

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