2nd Crash at Scene of Fiery Dodge County Collision Turns Fatal

West Concord, MN (KROC-AM News)- One person is dead and another suffered severe injuries at the scene of fiery head-on crash in Dodge County.

See Also: Kansas Crash Claims Lives of Minnesota Woman and Baby

A news release issued by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office Friday afternoon says the deadly incident happened shortly after 7:45 Monday morning.

There were two crashes at the same scene, which occurred during dense fog and icy conditions.

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Dispatch received reports of the first crash along Dodge County Rd. 24 east of 120th Ave., which is about 15 miles northeast of Owatonna.

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One Dead, Another Severely Injured After Being Hit by Pick-up In Ditch at Dodge County Crash Scene

Preliminary reports indicated two vehicles involved in a head-on crash had caught on fire and that there was entrapment. Mayo One was requested to respond, but it could not fly due to the conditions, the news release says.

photo by Kim David/Townsquare Media

The second crash occurred prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Deputies learned 32-year-old Scarlett Tanner of West Concord, who was one of the drivers involved in the first crash, had gotten out of the vehicle and was standing in the ditch with a passerby, identified as 46-year-old Erin Irene Brose of Dodge Center, who stopped to help.

A pick-up truck then approached the scene and entered the ditch to avoid the wreckage. Once in the ditch, the truck, driven by 47-year-old Ryan Thoe from Kasson, struck both Tanner and Brose, authorities say.

Tanner GoFundMe Fundraiser

Tanner was pronounced dead at the scene and Brose was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester with life-threatening injuries, the news release says.

An online fundraiser has been started to help the Tanner's four children. A link to the fundraiser is available here.

Lee Voss, WJON

40-year-old Elizabeth Albers of Owatonna, who was identified as the driver of the other vehicle involved in the first crash, was taken to an Owatonna hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The news release says the investigation into the deadly incident is ongoing.

More Minnesota News:

These Common Household Are Now Banned In Minnesota

A hot topic lately is PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals" because they are difficult for humans to detoxify and have half-lives measured in years. These chemicals accumulate in the body over time and can cause significant health issues even at low exposure levels

PFAS are commonly found in the environment and the human body and have been linked to a range of health concerns including increased cholesterol levels, potential disruption of hormone systems, reduced immune function, increased risk of certain cancers, developmental issues in children, and reproductive problems, particularly in pregnant women.

On January 1, 2024, Minnesota prohibited PFAS in firefighting foam and food packaging. The state is taking an even more aggressive stance against the chemicals in 2025.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the first prohibitions of products containing intentionally added PFAS under Amara's Law (Minn. Stat. § 116.943) are now in effect in Minnesota, meaning you can no longer legally purchase these items.

If you're wondering if you already have products with intentionally added PFAS, you can take the following steps to be sure:

Check the label - Look for products that are labeled as PFAS-free.
Check for keywords - Look for words like "waterproof," "stain-repellent," or "dirt-repellant" on the tag.
Check for ingredients - Avoid products that contain ingredients with "perfluoro" or "fluoro" in their name.
Use a third-party verification service - Some organizations offer third-party verification of products that claim to be made without PFAS.

As of January 1, 2025, you can no longer purchase products with intentionally added PFAS in Minnesota. These products fall under the 11 categories below.

Gallery Credit: David Drew