State Patrol

(Cokato, MN) -- The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a deadly pedestrian crash near Cokato. State troopers say 34-year-old Jacob John Merges of Cokato was hit by a semi at around 2:31 yesterday morning on Highway 12 at Morrison Road in Cokato Township. The semi was hauling a grain hopper and was traveling eastbound on 12 when the driver, 56-year-old Greg Nelson of Dassel, says he came upon Merges who was standing directly in the traffic lane. Nelson braked and tried to avoid hitting Merges but struck and killed him. The incident remains under investigation.