Crashed vehicle lands on exposed power lines in Kandiyohi County Saturday afternoon

Passengers in a crashed mini-van were exposed to extra dangers when their vehicle landed on exposed power lines in Kandiyohi County Saturday afternoon.

At about 1:10 p.m., the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a tw0-vehicle crash with injuries at the intersection of County Roads 1 and 29. Both vehicles — a 2016 Toyota and 2016 Chrysler Town and Country — were on their sides in the northwest ditch. The Chrysler, driven by Aaron Nelson, age 38, of Renner, South Dakota, had landed on exposed underground charged power lines. Also in the vehicle were passenger April Nelson, age 35, and four children ranging in age from two to 16.

The Toyota was being driven by Jairo Morales, age 32, of Rockville, and had passengers Ligda Ramos, age 31, and two children, ages four and nine.

Passengers from both vehicles had to be extracated by mechanical means. Aaron and April Nelson were transported to Caris Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Morales and Ramos were flown from the scene by air ambulances with non-life threatening serious injuries. All other occupants of both vehicles were transported by ambulance with minor injuries.

This case is currently under investigation by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office. Assisting at the scene CentraCare Ambulance, Life-Link Air Ambulance, Pennock Fire Department, Pennok First Responders, Lakes Area First Responders, Kandiyohi County Rescue and Kandiyohi Power Cooperative.