DANUBE – Two people are dead, and several others were injured following a collision on Thursday in Renville County, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. At approximately 3:57 Thursday afternoon, a 2011 Ford Taurus and a 2024 International Straight Truck were both traveling eastbound on Highway 212. Near mile marker 72, the vehicles collided. 

The driver of the Ford, 55-year-old Ricardo Baraja Cantu of Danube and one of his passengers, an eight-year-old girl, died from injuries sustained in the accident. A seven-year-old boy sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to HCMC. Two more passengers, 26-year-old Brandee C Lugo of Renville, and a three-year-old girl, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the Olivia hospital. 

The driver of the International, 27-year-old Justin Patrick Macht of Morgan, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Olivia hospital. 

Assistance was provided by the Danube Fire Department and First Responders, Olivia Fire and Ambulance, Granite Falls Ambulance, Renville County Sheriff’s Office, Danube Police Department, and Life Link.