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Lamberton Today
By the People, for the People
Five Killed, Several Injured in Highway 71 Crash in Cottonwood County
Authorities say a head-on collision between an SUV and a van left five dead and multiple others injured.
Mar. 23, 2026 at 5:09pm
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A two-vehicle crash on Highway 71 in Germantown Township, Minnesota on March 20, 2026 resulted in five fatalities and several injuries. A northbound GMC Terrain SUV collided head-on with a southbound Ford Transit van, killing the SUV driver and four passengers in the van. The van driver and other passengers suffered injuries, some life-threatening.
Why it matters
This tragic accident on a rural Minnesota highway highlights the importance of road safety, especially in areas with high-speed limits and limited visibility. It also raises questions about the factors that may have contributed to the crash, such as driver behavior, vehicle condition, or road conditions.
The details
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash occurred around 4:42 pm on March 20 near the intersection of Highway 71 and 240th Street, between the towns of Sanborn and Windom. The GMC Terrain SUV was traveling northbound when it collided head-on with the southbound Ford Transit van. The SUV driver, 67-year-old Martin Nickolas Hanson of Springfield, was killed. Four passengers in the van also died: 49-year-old Kelly Christine Hargus, 73-year-old Kathleen Ann Johnson, 73-year-old Richard Warren Johnson, all of Jackson, and 47-year-old Lindsey Kay Rossow of Lakefield. The van driver, 42-year-old Matthew Arthur Schultz of Lakefield, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Windom Hospital. Several other passengers were injured, with 44-year-old Kassandra Lynn Ambrose of Jackson and 54-year-old Eric Charles Rossow of Lakefield sustaining life-threatening injuries.
- The crash occurred at about 4:42 p.m. on March 20, 2026.
- Road conditions were reported as dry at the time of the crash.
The players
Martin Nickolas Hanson
The 67-year-old driver of the GMC Terrain SUV who was killed in the crash.
Kelly Christine Hargus
A 49-year-old passenger in the Ford Transit van who was killed in the crash.
Kathleen Ann Johnson
A 73-year-old passenger in the Ford Transit van who was killed in the crash.
Richard Warren Johnson
A 73-year-old passenger in the Ford Transit van who was killed in the crash.
Lindsey Kay Rossow
A 47-year-old passenger in the Ford Transit van who was killed in the crash.
What’s next
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash, and it is unclear if any charges will be filed.
The takeaway
This tragic accident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of safe driving practices, especially on rural highways where high speeds and limited visibility can increase the risk of deadly collisions. It also highlights the critical role of first responders and emergency services in responding to such incidents.
