New Richland man injured in crash with tractor

Published 11:33 pm Friday, August 17, 2018

A New Richland man was injured Thursday after the vehicle he was driving struck the back of a tractor in northern Minnesota.

Ray Eldon Mudgett, 70, was taken by ambulance to St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth with at least one injury deemed not life-threatening, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Nicholas Paul Jensen, 26, of Bruno was driving a 2011 Case backhoe tractor south on Minnesota Highway 73 at the intersection of School Forest Road at a slower speed when a 2012 Toyota Tundra driven by Mudgett was driving behind Jensen, crossing over into the north lanes before crossing back into the south lane, colliding with the rear of the tractor at about 3:30 p.m., south of Cromwell, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

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The passenger in the Tundra, Daniel Thomas Mudgett, 63, of Barnum, was taken by air ambulance to Essentia Hospital in Duluth with at least one injury deemed life-threatening.

Jensen was not injured in the crash.

Cloquet fire crews, Carlton County deputies, Cromwell-Wright Ambulance and Life Link assisted on scene.

The report states alcohol was not a factor in the crash. It is unknown whether Ray Mudgett and Daniel Mudgett were wearing their seat belts. The report states Jensen was not wearing his seat belt.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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