GREENVALE TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A Monday afternoon crash involving a semi tractor-trailer has left one teenage driver dead and another teenager seriously injured in Dakota County. Authorities say the collision happened at a rural intersection, turning an ordinary drive into a heartbreaking tragedy for two families and the Northfield community.
Deputies with the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office were called around 3:23 p.m. on Jan. 19 to an injury crash at the intersection of 320th Street and Foliage Avenue. Multiple emergency crews responded to the scene after reports that a passenger vehicle and a semi tractor-trailer had collided, leaving occupants trapped and unresponsive.
Initial information from investigators indicates that the semi tractor-trailer was traveling westbound on 320th Street when it collided with a 2012 Lexus CT. Authorities said the Lexus was attempting to turn east onto 320th Street from Foliage Avenue at the time of the crash. The impact caused severe damage to the smaller vehicle.
When deputies arrived, they found two teenagers inside the Lexus unresponsive. First responders immediately began lifesaving efforts at the scene. Despite those attempts, the driver of the Lexus, 16-year-old Berlyn Berghuis of Northfield, was pronounced dead at the crash site. The loss has sent shockwaves through the local community.
The passenger in the Lexus, 16-year-old Anabelle Martinez, also of Northfield, suffered serious injuries. She was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment and remains under medical care. Authorities have not released further details about her condition, but officials confirmed her injuries are severe.
The driver of the semi tractor-trailer was not injured, according to the sheriff’s office. No charges have been announced at this time. The crash remains under investigation, with the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office leading the case and receiving assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol. Investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the crash as the community mourns a young life lost far too soon.
