Albertville, MN – Tragedy struck on Wednesday afternoon when a collision involving four vehicles on westbound Interstate 94 near exit 202 resulted in the untimely death of Benjamin Walter Wittrock, a 43-year-old resident of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the fatal accident occurred around 3 p.m. The report indicates that three vehicles were moving at a slower pace in the left lane when Wittrock’s 2017 Kia Optima approached from behind in the same direction, leading to a collision involving all four vehicles at milepost 202. The road conditions were reported as dry during the incident.
Regrettably, Wittrock, who was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, succumbed to the collision’s impact. However, several other individuals involved in the collision managed to escape without sustaining any injuries. Among them was Laura Beth Ruzicka, a 37-year-old from Monticello, driving a 2011 Buick Enclave.
Additionally, passengers in a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by a 57-year-old woman from Browerville, emerged unscathed. Another woman, driving a 2019 Toyota Highlander from Minnetonka, Minnesota, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, with her vehicle’s airbag deploying during the collision. Authorities confirmed the deployment of airbags in both Wittrock’s and the injured woman’s vehicles.
Emergency response teams from the Wright County Sheriff’s Office and the Albertville Fire Department promptly arrived at the scene, resulting in traffic disruptions for approximately two hours in the surrounding area. Police have ruled out alcohol involvement, and an ongoing investigation aims to determine the exact circumstances leading to the tragic collision.
As investigations continue, the family of Benjamin Wittrock will release his obituary and details regarding funeral arrangements at a later date.
