Ricardo Barajas Cantu : “Fatal Crash in Renville County: 2 Dead, 1 Injured”

A devastating crash in Danube, Renville County, has left a 55-year-old man and an 8-year-old girl dead, with a 7-year-old girl sustaining life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Second Street on U.S. Highway 212.

The deceased driver, Ricardo Barajas Cantu, was travelling with three child passengers and 26-year-old Brandee Lugo of Renville. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Cantu was driving eastbound on U.S. Highway 212 when his Ford Taurus collided with an International straight truck near mile post 72.

Details of the Crash

Cantu’s seat belt status is listed as unknown, while Lugo and all child passengers were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision. Alcohol was not a factor for Cantu, as confirmed by the crash report.

The 8-year-old girl tragically suffered a fatal injury, while a 7-year-old boy sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment. Lugo and a 3-year-old girl were taken to Olivia Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Response and Investigation

The driver of the International straight truck, Justin Patrick Macht, 27, of Morgan, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was wearing a seat belt, and alcohol was not involved in the crash. Road conditions were reported as dry at the time of the collision.

Various emergency response teams, including Danube First Responders, Danube Fire Department, Olivia Fire and Ambulance, Granite Falls Ambulance, the Renville County Sheriff’s Office, Danube Police Department, and Life Link, assisted the Minnesota State Patrol at the scene.

Conclusion

The tragic crash in Danube has left a community in mourning, with two lives lost and a young child fighting for survival. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time.

By West Central Tribune staff report

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