Rochester Man Critically Injured in Crash Involving Sheriff's SUV

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 31-year-old Rochester man was critically injured when his car crashed into a Goodhue County Sheriff's Office SUV parked on the shoulder of Highway 52 near Pine Island, Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. The State Patrol says the collision resulted in life-threatening injuries for the driver of the car, identified as Anthony Vruno, who was transported to St. Mary's Hospital by Mayo One. The deputy in the parked SUV, 29-year-old Kainen Whitehead of Kenyon, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of impaired driving and the risks that law enforcement officers face when responding to incidents on the side of the road. It also raises questions about safety protocols for parked emergency vehicles and whether additional measures are needed to protect officers and other motorists.

The details

According to the State Patrol's crash report, the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office SUV was parked on the shoulder of southbound Highway 52 when it was struck by a southbound car driven by Anthony Vruno. The collision occurred just south of the Highway 52 exit to Main Street in Pine Island around 4:10 PM. Vruno suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to St. Mary's Hospital by Mayo One. The deputy in the parked SUV, Kainen Whitehead, also sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the same hospital.

• The crash occurred on Saturday, March 16, 2026 around 4:10 PM.

What’s next

The State Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash, including whether alcohol was a factor in the incident.