Marion Township, MN (February 23, 2026) – Mary Virnig (72) was identified as the woman who suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash near the I-90 / Highway 52 interchange near Marion Township in Olmsted County.
Incident Details: According to the Minnesota State Patrol (MSP), the crash happened before 1 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026, near Marion Township, where Highway 52 intersects with I-90.
The crash involved a Ford Edge and a Freightliner semi-truck. The Ford Edge was driving northbound, and the semi-truck was traveling southbound on Highway 52. The semi-truck was turning to go eastbound on I-90 when it collided with the Ford.
Emergency responders took two women to the hospital. Mary Virnig was the passenger of the Ford Edge. She was taken to Saint Mary’s Hospital and suffered life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford Edge, Sandra Fenstermaker (76), suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the semi-truck was not injured in the crash.
Investigation: The MSP is continuing to investigate the crash near the I-90 and Highway 52 interchange in Marion Township. Because the collision occurred as the Freightliner semi-truck was turning left to enter eastbound I-90, investigators will focus on right-of-way issues and whether the truck driver properly yielded to northbound traffic.
Authorities will likely review skid marks, vehicle damage, witness statements, and any available dash camera or traffic camera footage.
In commercial vehicle crashes, investigators may also examine driver logs, hours-of-service records, and electronic data from the truck to determine speed, braking, and steering inputs before impact.
These findings will help determine exactly how the collision occurred and who may have been at fault.
Legal Considerations: Turn crashes often hinge on whether the turning driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic. If investigators determine that the semi-truck driver did not complete the turn safely, civil liability could follow. Because this incident involves a commercial vehicle, responsibility may extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, depending on training, supervision, and compliance with federal safety regulations.
If negligence is established, Mary Virnig may have a personal injury claim to recover compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, pain and suffering, and other damages related to her life-threatening injuries. The Ford’s driver, Sandra Fenstermaker, may also have a claim depending on the final determination of fault.
I extend my thoughts to Mary Virnig and Sandra Fenstermaker during this difficult time and sincerely wish for their full and steady recoveries from this traumatic event.
Source: KAALTV