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Maynard Today
By the People, for the People
Central Minnesota Man Killed While Checking on Crash Victims
Authorities say the 68-year-old man was struck by another vehicle on Highway 40 near Willmar.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:41pm
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A tragic accident on a rural Minnesota highway claims the life of a Good Samaritan who stopped to help.Maynard TodayA 68-year-old man from Kerkhoven, Minnesota was fatally struck by a vehicle while checking on the occupants of a separate car crash that had occurred on Highway 40 near Willmar, Minnesota. The incident happened just after 8 a.m. on Friday morning. The driver of the vehicle that struck the man, a 30-year-old woman from Maynard, Minnesota, was uninjured.
Why it matters
This tragic incident highlights the dangers that can arise when people attempt to help at the scene of a car accident. While Good Samaritan laws protect those who stop to assist, the situation can still be extremely hazardous, especially on busy highways. The case also raises questions about how to improve safety protocols and driver awareness around accident sites to prevent similar tragedies.
The details
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Jeffrey Dean Bauman of Kerkhoven had exited his vehicle to check on the occupants of a car that was involved in a crash on Highway 40 near 60th Street Southwest. As Bauman was attending to the initial accident, he was then struck by a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox driven by a 30-year-old woman from Maynard. The State Patrol did not provide any additional details about the original crash that Bauman had stopped to assist with.
- The incident occurred just after 8 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2026.
The players
Jeffrey Dean Bauman
A 68-year-old man from Kerkhoven, Minnesota who was fatally struck by a vehicle while checking on the occupants of a separate car crash.
30-year-old woman from Maynard, Minnesota
The driver of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox that struck and killed Jeffrey Dean Bauman.
The takeaway
This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks that Good Samaritans face when stopping to assist at accident scenes. It underscores the need for improved safety protocols, driver education, and public awareness campaigns to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.