CANNON FALLS — Minnesota State Patrol says a trooper responding to a traffic accident slammed into another car in Cannon Falls, killing two people in the other vehicle.

The collision happened at about 2:35 p.m. Friday. Cannon Falls is about 35 miles southeast of St. Paul.

The trooper was airlifted to a Rochester hospital. The State Patrol said he’s being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske said the trooper’s squad had its lights flashing and sirens activated. He said the other vehicle pulled out of a parking lot, and the trooper’s squad slammed into it.

The collision killed the 78-year-old man driving the other vehicle, and his passenger, a 79-year-old woman.

State Patrol Lt. Col. Matt Langer said authorities haven’t determined how fast the trooper was going.