A Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office squad car burst into flames Monday after a deputy rear-ended a car stopped along a highway north of Brainerd.
Squad car erupts into flames after deputy rear-ends vehicle stopped on highway
The impact pushed the car into another stopped car, injuring three others in addition to the deputy.
July 25, 2023 at 8:32PM
Deputy Matthew W. Jorgens, 42, of Nisswa, was driving a 2021 Ford Explorer squad car southbound on Hwy. 371 when he hit a 2021 Dodge Durango stopped in the left lane of the highway just before 2 p.m., according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The impact pushed the Durango into a 2018 Buick Regal that was also stopped on the highway, just south of Barbeau Road.
Two occupants of the Durango — 59-year-old Jeffrey A. Miller and 58-year-old Ronda R. Miller, both of Minneapolis — and the driver of the Regal — 78-year-old Charlotte E. Zimmerman of Brainerd — were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Jorgens was also taken to the hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening. The squad car is considered a total loss, according to Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang.
The State Patrol is investigating the collision. Alcohol is not considered to be a factor among any involved, and all were reported to be wearing seat belts.
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