Grove City Man Killed in a 2-Vehicle Crash

A 22-year-old Grove City man was killed in a 2-vehicle crash Saturday morning, just outside of Litchfield on Highway 24. The Minnesota State Patrol responded to the crash at 1:46 a.m. near the intersection of 620th Avenue in Litchfield Township, along with the Litchfield Fire and Police Departments, the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office and Mayo Ambulance.

A 2002 Chevy Malibu, driven by 22-year-old Eben Junior Laidlaw of Grove City, was westbound on Highway 24 when it struck a 2004 Ford F150, driven by 22-year-old Joseph David Johnson of Litchfield, which was going eastbound on Highway 24 at 620th Avenue. Laidlaw was not wearing a seatbelt. He was taken to Meeker Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries. Alcohol is suspected, but results are pending. Johnson received non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Meeker Memorial Hospital. According to the State Patrol it’s unknown if Johnson was wearing a seatbelt and alcohol was suspected.