Ford pickup struck Nissan Altima during left turn onto 15th Street NE
December 04, 2025 | Sauk Rapids, MN
Newsline, a premier digital news platform owned by Belsito Communications, Inc., reports on a tragic incident in Sauk Rapids Township.
Bradley Thoennes, 48, died after his Nissan Altima was T-boned by a southbound Ford pickup at Mayhew Lake Road and 15th Street NE in Sauk Rapids.
What Happened in the Crash?
A serious collision occurred at the intersection of Mayhew Lake Road and 15th Street NE around 5:40 p.m. on Dec. 4. The crash involved a Nissan Altima attempting a left turn and a southbound Ford pickup, resulting in a T-bone crash.
- Date and Time: Dec. 4, 2025, approximately 5:40 p.m.
- Location: Mayhew Lake Road and 15th Street NE, Sauk Rapids Township, Benton County, Minnesota
- Vehicles Involved: Northbound Nissan Altima and southbound Ford pickup
- Victim: Bradley Thoennes, 48, of Sauk Rapids, driver of the Nissan Altima
- Outcome for Victim: Transported to St. Cloud Hospital with life-threatening injuries, and later succumbed to injuries
- Other Occupants: Ford pickup driver, 43, from Foley, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and passenger uninjured
The Benton County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Why Do Intersection Crashes Like This Occur?
Intersections are high-risk areas for motor vehicle accidents due to factors such as turning maneuvers, visibility issues, and traffic speed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), intersection-related crashes account for a significant portion of fatal incidents nationwide.
Common contributing elements include:
- Failure to yield during left turns
- Speeding or distracted driving
- Poor lighting or road conditions at dusk
Crash Statistics Overview
The following table summarizes key motor vehicle crash data from the NHTSA, highlighting the scale of such incidents in the U.S.:
Year |
Fatal Crashes |
Total Deaths |
Deaths per 100,000 People |
Deaths per 100 Million Miles Traveled |
|---|
2018 |
33,654 |
36,560 |
11.2 |
1.13 |
Source: NHTSA Crash Stats
These figures underscore the ongoing need for thorough investigations and safety improvements.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this involving motor vehicle collisions, detailed analysis is crucial for understanding contributing factors.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined,” said Candice Bond, managing partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond.
Key takeaways from legal perspectives on such incidents:
- Investigations often involve reconstructing the sequence of events to determine liability.
- Families may explore options for compensation related to medical expenses, lost income, and emotional impacts.
- Prompt action preserves evidence and supports claims.
Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal, emphasized the emotional toll:
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident. We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”
Families affected by similar tragedies may be eligible to pursue wrongful death claims for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).