Overview
- The Minnesota State Patrol says a Polaris RANGER XD ran off the roadway while negotiating a left curve, struck a driveway approach and rolled, ejecting both unbelted occupants.
- Authorities confirmed at least one fatality and later reporting identified the driver, 44-year-old Eric Spaeth of Long Prairie, as killed and his 45-year-old passenger, Nicole Spaeth, as hospitalized with life‑threatening injuries.
- Neither occupant was wearing a seat belt or helmet, a factor state troopers linked to the ejections and the severity of the crash.
- Investigators are treating the crash as an active investigation and plan to release more details on crash mechanics, restraint use and other findings as they become available.
- State data and news reports note a rise in off‑highway vehicle deaths this year, with official and media counts ranging from 12 to 19 fatalities, underscoring growing safety concerns for side‑by‑side UTVs.