New Ulm, Minnesota: Man dies in car crash south of Cosmos – West Central Tribune

KOSMOS — A New Ulm man died in a single-vehicle crash reported Tuesday morning in Meeker County.

According to a Minnesota State Patrol accident report, 71-year-old David Wilbert Hermel died after his 2001 Ford F150 pickup left the road and entered a drainage ditch. Hermel was the only listed occupant in the vehicle.

The fatal crash was reported around 11:43 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Minnesota Highway 4 and 535th Avenue, about three miles south of Cosmos.

According to the accident report, Hermel was traveling north on Highway 4 when his truck left the roadway and entered the drainage ditch. Hermel wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.

The airbags in the truck were deployed. Road conditions were reported to be dry at the time of the accident and alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.

The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office and Cosmos Fire and Ambulance assisted the Minnesota State Patrol at the scene.