2-Vehicle Crash in Emmet Township

At 6:54 last evening, the Renville County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of County Road 6 and 840th Avenue – about 1 mile north of Renville, in Emmet Township. There was also a report of an explosion.

The preliminary crash investigation revealed that a 2019 Peterbilt semi-truck and trailer, driven by 28-year-old Alejandro Hernandez-Ruiz of Springfield, was travelling south on County Road 6 and was passing by 840th Avenue. As Hernandez-Ruiz was crossing the intersection of County Road 6 and 840th Avenue, a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by 32-year-old Marco Rodriguez of Plover, WI was travelling west on 840th Avenue and failed to stop for the stop sign.

The Tahoe collided with the semi and both units entered the ditch and sustained disabling damage. The semi then caught fire. Hernandez-Ruiz was treated for burn injuries at the scene and released. Rodriguez fled the scene before law enforcement arrived but was later apprehended and was treated for his injuries at the Olivia Hospital & Clinic.

Driver impairment is believed to have been a factor in the crash. Rodriguiz is expected to be formally charged by the Renville County Attorney’s Office. The Renville County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Renville Police Department, Renville Fire Department, Renville Medical Response Unit and Olivia Ambulance Service. The crash remains under investigation.