Young Boy Seriously Hurt in Car/Buggy Accident in Fillmore County

Mabel, MN - (KROC AM News) - The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating an accident involving a car and a horse and buggy in Fillmore County that left a boy with serious injuries.

The accident happened around 7:00 PM Friday on Highway 44 in Newburg Township near Mabel.

The State Patrol says the car was driven by 42-year-old Brian Schwingle of Mabel. He and a 12-year-old boy riding in the car were not hurt. The man operating the buggy was 56-year-old Menno Mast of Mabel, who suffered non-life threatening injuries. One passenger was identified as Susie Mast of Mabel, who was not injured. The other passengers included a 12-year-old boy, who suffered life-threatening injuries; a 9-year-old boy who suffered non-life threatening injuries and two girls, ages 8 and 12 who were not hurt.

About 45 minutes after this crash happened, the State Patrol was called to the scene of a nearby accident involving a pickup truck and horse. This accident happened on Highway 44 near Harmony 52 when the truck struck a horse “that was loose in the lane of traffic.” The driver - 33-year-old Tyler Solie of Mabel - suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

It’s not known if the horse was involved in the earlier accident.