Cadillac struck by southbound Dodge Ram in Decoria Township
November 09, 2025 | Decoria Township, MN
A 67-year-old woman from North Mankato lost her life in a two-vehicle crash in Decoria Township.
The incident occurred just before 5 p.m. on November 9, along Minnesota Highway 22, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Mary Gay Hlavac, 67, of North Mankato, was killed when her Cadillac XT4 collided head-on with a Dodge Ram 1500 at milepost 47.
What Happened in the Decoria Township Crash?
The collision involved a 2020 Cadillac XT4 traveling northbound and a 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 truck heading southbound at milepost 47.
- Date and Time: November 9, 2025, just before 5 p.m.
- Location: Minnesota Highway 22 at milepost 47, Decoria Township, Blue Earth County
- Victim: Mary Gay Hlavac, 67, of North Mankato, driver of the Cadillac XT4
- Outcome for Victim: Died at the scene
- Other Driver: 56-year-old man from Amboy, driver of the Dodge Ram 1500
- Injuries to Other Driver: Non-life-threatening, transported to MCHS
- Safety Measures: Both drivers wore seat belts, airbags deployed in both vehicles
- Alcohol Involvement: None, per Minnesota State Patrol
Responding agencies included the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office, MCHS Ambulance, St. Clair Fire Department, and state troopers. The crash remains under investigation.
Why Do Head-On Crashes Occur on Minnesota Roads?
Head-on collisions often stem from driver error but can also result from speeding, distracted driving, poor road design, or inexperienced operators.
Common Causes of Head-On Crashes |
Source |
|---|
Driver error |
Newsline analysis |
Speeding |
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
Distracted driving |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
Drunken driving |
Federal Highway Administration |
Poor road design |
Newsline reporting |
Inexperienced drivers |
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety |
In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 42,915 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes nationwide, marking a more than 10 percent increase from 2020.
Legal Insights on Head-On Collision Cases
“Contributing factors to be examined include road conditions, visibility, and lighting,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal.
- An accident reconstruction team may help determine exact causes in cases such as this.
- Resources like these assist families in seeking compensation for damages after a collision.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal.
- Wrongful death claims allow families to pursue damages for loss of companionship and emotional distress.
- A wrongful death lawyer stays updated on investigations to protect legal rights.
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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).