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3 killed, 2 injured in west-central Minnesota crash

Three people from Missouri were killed Thursday evening in a crash west of Willmar. Another person from Missouri was seriously injured, according to the Minnesota State Patrol, and a semi driver from Raymond also suffered injuries.

A police light on top of a car shines blue on a graphic that reads "crash report."
Long exposure to capture the full array of police car lights. 12MP camera.
Carolina K. Smith

WILLMAR, Minn. — Three people from Missouri were killed Thursday evening in a crash west of Willmar that also injured two others.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the three killed were in a Lexus SUV that was northbound on Kandiyohi County Road 7 when it collided in the intersection with a Volvo semi that was eastbound on Minnesota Highway 40.

Killed in the Lexus were driver, Justin M. Ecker, 41, of Lee Summit, Missouri, and passengers Jonathan M. Ecker, 39, of Rosendale, Missouri, and Carol Catherine Ecker, 64, of Kansas City, Missouri.

Passenger Jennifer Michelle Mcginness, 35, of Elmo, Missouri, was transported to CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Semi driver Ralph John Enderle, 57, of Raymond, was transported to CentraCare — Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar with non-life-threatening injuries.

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The State Patrol report said Mcginness and Carol Ecker were not wearing seat belts, and the others involved were. The report said alcohol was not involved for four of the five people involved, but listed alcohol as unknown in relation to Justin Ecker.

Roads were dry at the time of the crash, which was reported at 5:54 p.m. Thursday.

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