Man Killed While Checking on Crash Victims on Hwy 40 Near Willmar

A 68-year-old man died after being struck by a vehicle while assisting at the scene of an earlier collision.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:04pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car side mirror reflecting the faint glow of emergency vehicle lights, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a fatal highway collision.The tragic aftermath of a secondary highway crash that claimed a Good Samaritan's life while he was checking on victims of an earlier collision.Willmar Today

A 68-year-old man was killed on Friday, April 10, after being struck by a vehicle while checking on people involved in a prior crash on Highway 40 west of Willmar, Minnesota. The initial incident involved two eastbound vehicles that collided, and the victim, identified as Jeffrey Dean Bauman, had stopped to assist the occupants when he was hit by an eastbound Chevy Equinox.

Why it matters

Secondary crashes that occur after an initial incident on high-speed roads like Highway 40 can be especially dangerous, as drivers may have limited time to react to unexpected obstructions or people on the roadway. This tragic incident highlights the risks emergency responders and bystanders face when trying to help at accident scenes.

The details

Authorities reported that the earlier crash involved two eastbound vehicles that collided on Highway 40 west of Willmar. Bauman, who was not involved in the initial incident, stopped his vehicle and got out to check on the occupants of the two cars. While standing outside his vehicle, Bauman was struck by an eastbound Chevy Equinox. Emergency responders pronounced Bauman dead at the scene, while no one was injured in the initial two-vehicle crash.

  • The initial two-vehicle crash occurred on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • Bauman was struck and killed later that same day, on April 10, 2026.

The players

Jeffrey Dean Bauman

A 68-year-old man who was killed after being struck by a vehicle while checking on people involved in a prior crash on Highway 40 near Willmar, Minnesota.

Chevy Equinox

The vehicle that struck and killed Bauman as he was standing outside his own vehicle on the highway.

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What’s next

Authorities are still investigating the circumstances leading up to the fatal incident and have not released additional details.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the dangers that can arise from secondary crashes on high-speed roads, where drivers may have limited time to react to unexpected obstructions or people on the roadway. It serves as a somber reminder of the risks emergency responders and bystanders face when trying to assist at accident scenes.