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Jon Collins

Couple dies after being hit by 1,200-pound hay bales

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A Houston County couple has died after heavy hay bales fell off a tractor-trailer and hit their vehicle over the weekend. Criminal charges could be possible against the truck driver.

The Minnesota State Patrol identified the victims as Dale Erickson, 59, and Teresa Erickson, 52, both of Houston, Minn.

A tractor-trailer carrying bales of hay was driving south on County Road 9 in Houston shortly after 9 a.m. on Saturday. At least 10 of the bales, which a trooper at the scene estimated to each weigh about 1,200 pounds, fell off the truck. One of those bales struck the oncoming GMC Sierra driven by Dale Erickson, which caused the vehicle to crash into the ditch and catch fire, according to the patrol's report.

First responders transported the Ericksons to Gundersen Lutheran Hospital for treatment, according to patrol spokesperson Lt. Tiffani Nielson. Teresa Erickson died on Sunday and Dale Erickson died Tuesday from injuries received in the crash.

Randall Hongerholt, 49, also of Houston, was the driver of the truck. Nielson said state law requires truckers to secure cargo and periodically check to ensure that cargo weight hasn't shifted.

The Minnesota State Patrol is conducting a full reconstruction of the crash as part of the investigation. Nielson said it's possible that the driver could face criminal charges related to careless driving or even criminal vehicular homicide. The Houston County attorney will decide whether the incident warrants charges.