Two-semi collision on westbound I-94 in Otter Tail injures driver

A crash between two semitrailers on westbound Interstate 94 in Otter Tail County sent one driver to the hospital, police said. The Minnesota State Patrol reported the collision was called in at 1:57 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, near milepost 45.

The crash involved a 2001 Kenworth driven by Bradley Paul Rodenwald, 50, of Albany, Minn., and a 2024 Freightliner driven by Gary Allen Zaug, 59, of Plover, Wis. Zaug sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls. Rodenwald was not injured. Officials said both drivers were wearing seat belts and that alcohol was not a factor. Road conditions at the time were described as snow- and ice-covered.

Local emergency services responded to the scene, including the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, the Fergus Falls Fire Department, MnDOT crews, and Ringdahl Ambulance. The Minnesota State Patrol is conducting an investigation to determine the sequence of events that led to the collision.

For residents and travelers, the incident highlights how quickly winter weather can affect safety and traffic flow on I-94. That stretch of interstate is a primary corridor for regional freight and commuter traffic. Even a single crash involving commercial vehicles can create significant slowdowns and temporary closures that ripple through schedules for local businesses that rely on timely deliveries.

The response also illustrates the reliance on county and municipal services during winter incidents. Snow and ice increase demands on MnDOT and local road crews, and they can strain emergency medical and fire response capacity during prolonged storms. For rural counties like Otter Tail, balancing routine maintenance with surge response is a recurring operational and budgetary challenge as crews prioritize major corridors and high-risk areas.

From a policy standpoint, the crash reinforces ongoing discussions about winter travel advisories, speed management in adverse conditions, and investments in road treatments and weather monitoring. Travelers are reminded to adjust speed for conditions and allow extra following distance, especially when visibility is reduced or pavements are slick.

The State Patrol investigation will provide more detail on cause and contributing factors. In the meantime, motorists planning east-west travel across Otter Tail County should monitor road condition updates from MnDOT and allow extra time for trips on I-94 during winter weather. The incident is a practical reminder that winter conditions can quickly turn a routine haul or commute into an emergency response for local services.