MANKATO, MN (November 11, 2025) — A 43-year-old Mankato man suffered injuries Tuesday evening when his car collided with a semi-truck on Highway 169 between Mankato and St. Peter. The State Patrol identified the injured driver as Phillip Lee Daschner.
Accident Details: The Minnesota State Patrol reported that the crash occurred at 7:39 p.m. on Highway 169. Daschner was driving a 2005 Toyota Avalon northbound when his vehicle collided with a northbound 2023 Freightliner semi-truck.
The collision resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to Daschner. Emergency responders transported him to Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato, where he received treatment for his injuries. The driver of the semi, 58-year-old Ida Mae Coney of Jacksonville, Florida, was not injured in the crash.
The State Patrol did not release additional details about the exact location of the crash on Highway 169 or what caused the two northbound vehicles to collide.
Investigation: The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the circumstances that led to the collision between the two northbound vehicles. Investigators are working to determine how Daschner’s Toyota and Coney’s Freightliner came into contact while traveling in the same direction on the highway.
The State Patrol has not indicated whether weather conditions, road construction, or other factors contributed to the crash. Authorities also have not disclosed whether any citations were issued to either driver. The investigation continues as officers review evidence from the scene.
Legal Considerations: Crashes between passenger vehicles and commercial semi-trucks frequently result in serious injuries to occupants of the smaller vehicle. The substantial size and weight difference between a car and a semi-truck means that even collisions at moderate speeds can cause significant damage and harm.
When two vehicles traveling in the same direction collide, investigators look at factors such as lane changes, following distance, and whether one driver failed to maintain their lane. Determining fault in same-direction crashes requires reconstruction of the events leading up to impact.
Injury victims in truck collisions may be entitled to compensation for medical treatment, lost wages during recovery, and pain and suffering. Commercial trucking companies and their insurance carriers are typically involved in these claims, making legal representation valuable for protecting the rights of injured parties.
We wish Phillip Lee Daschner a full and speedy recovery from his injuries.
Source: Mankato Free Press