CLAY COUNTY, Minn. (KFGO) – The Minnesota State Patrol said a rollover crash involving Republican State Senate candidate Austin Peterson on Tuesday, October 27 isn’t alcohol related.
First responders went to State Highway 32 and 80th Avenue South near Rollag around 6:30 PM.
Troopers say the pickup Peterson was driving was heading south on Highway 32 when it left the road and rolled.
The 40-year-old from Hawley was taken to a Fargo hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Authorities say Peterson was wearing a seat belt.
When asked if the crash is related to distracted driving, State Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow replied the crash is under investigation.
“Yesterday at approximately 6:25 p.m., my 2021 Toyota Tundra was traveling southbound on State Highway 32 when a northbound vehicle entered my lane, forcing me to make a split-second decision to avoid a head-on collision. I steered into the ditch, and the truck rolled over.
“A good Samaritan stopped and helped me out of the overturned vehicle as I was unable to get seatbelt to release. This individual was not the driver of the vehicle that forced us off the road. I sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to Sanford Health for medical care. I am grateful to be alive,” Peterson said in a statement sent to KFGO. “The first responders from Barnesville and Hawley were outstanding. I’m incredibly thankful for their professionalism, quick response, and the care they showed me. I was able to provide the Minnesota State Patrol with a description of the other vehicle. The incident remains under active investigation. Thank you to the good Samaritan who stopped to help and to all the first responders who came to our aid. We won’t forget it.”
A post on Peterson’s campaign’s Facebook page said Tuesday was he and his wife’s 19th wedding anniversary.
Peterson, a Hawley School Board Member, is running against DFL State Senator Rob Kupec of Moorhead for his District 4 seat which includes Clay and Becker counties.
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