Laura Ashley Keller Killed in Greenleaf Twp Car Accident
Suspected DUI rollover on Highway 22 leaves Hutchinson woman dead, driver hospitalized
Laura Ashley Keller, 40, of Hutchinson, was killed in a single-vehicle wreck on State Highway 22 near 180th Street in Greenleaf Township, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The northbound 2011 Chevrolet Malibu left the road at approximately 9:51 p.m., rolled multiple times, and came to a stop in a ditch.
The driver of the Chevrolet, a 39-year-old Litchfield woman, was taken to CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Keller was a passenger in the vehicle and was pronounced dead following the crash.
The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office, Litchfield Fire and Police departments, and multiple ambulance services responded to the scene.
Investigators suspect alcohol played a role in the wreck. The crash remains under investigation.
How common are alcohol-related crashes in Minnesota?
Impaired driving remains a persistent danger on rural corridors like Highway 22. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, alcohol-related crashes account for approximately 115 deaths and over 2,200 injuries annually across the state. In single-vehicle rollovers such as this, crash reconstruction investigators carefully examine tire marks, vehicle resting positions, and toxicology reports to establish a definitive timeline of events leading up to the departure from the travel lanes.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, said, "Alcohol use behind the wheel often leads to deadly crashes because judgment and reaction times are badly affected. Investigators usually look at toxicology results, speed data, and witness accounts to understand what happened."
What factors do investigators examine in Greenleaf Township rollovers?
According to Stefano Formica, who serves as a national legal analyst for Accident News and is of counsel at Bond Legal, "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 best interests are taken care of."
When a vehicle leaves a dry, straight roadway, authorities look beyond the immediate wreckage. Investigators will analyze the Chevrolet's event data recorder to determine the exact speed, braking application, and steering input in the seconds before the rollover. This digital evidence, combined with blood alcohol content results from the driver, forms the foundation of the official crash report.
Minnesota wrongful death statute
Under Minn. Stat. § 573.02, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Minnesota applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.