Northfield, Minnesota (January 19, 2026) — A crash involving a semi-truck and a Lexus northwest of Northfield claimed the life of a 16-year-old high school student and left another teenager critically injured.
Authorities identified the deceased driver as Berlyn Berghuis, a 10th-grade student at Northfield High School. Her classmate, Annabelle Martinez, also 16, sustained life-threatening injuries and remains hospitalized as she continues her recovery.
The collision occurred at approximately 3:23 p.m. at the intersection of 320th Street and Foliage Avenue, about a mile northwest of Northfield, according to the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office.
Incident Details: Investigators reported that a semi-truck and a 2012 Lexus CT collided at the rural intersection. Both teenage occupants of the Lexus were found unresponsive inside the vehicle.
Berghuis, who was driving at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene. Martinez, the passenger, was airlifted to a Minneapolis-area hospital with critical injuries and admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
According to a GoFundMe page established to assist her family, Martinez faces a long and difficult recovery that includes extensive rehabilitation and ongoing medical treatment. Her family has remained by her side as they confront mounting medical expenses and the uncertainty ahead.
The driver of the semi-truck has not been publicly identified. Authorities have not announced whether charges are expected.
Investigation: The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to the crash.
In collisions involving large commercial vehicles at rural intersections, investigators typically analyze right-of-way, vehicle speed, sight distance, and braking patterns. Reconstruction teams often review roadway geometry, signage, and traffic control devices to determine whether either vehicle failed to yield or misjudged approaching traffic.
Because semi-trucks require significantly longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles, investigators may also evaluate approach speeds, visibility conditions, and whether either driver had adequate time to react. Data from the vehicles’ onboard systems, along with witness statements, can help establish a detailed timeline of events.
No official cause has yet been released.
Legal Considerations: Crashes involving commercial vehicles can present complex liability issues, particularly at intersections where timing and judgment are critical. Civil investigations may examine whether reasonable care was exercised by all drivers involved and whether any mechanical or operational factors contributed to the collision.
For the Berghuis and Martinez families, the legal process usually occurs amidst deep emotional loss. While wrongful death and serious injury claims can cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and ongoing financial effects, they cannot compensate for the human suffering involved.
My thoughts are with both families during this extraordinarily difficult time.