Single-Vehicle Crash
On April 5th, 2024, at approximately 8:35 a.m., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a report of a crash with possible injuries near the intersection of 4th Street West and River Street, in the city of Holdingford. The initial call was an automated crash alert from the driver’s cell phone indicating a crash had occurred. Shortly after this, multiple witnesses called 911 reporting the crash. Callers stated the vehicle was badly damaged and as deputies and medical responders were en route, the vehicle started to drive away. Callers stayed on the line with dispatch and followed the vehicle at a safe distance. The vehicle went into the ditch again where it came to rest just north of the intersection of County Road 9 and County Road 151.
Deputies arrived a short time later and found that the driver, James Rusthoven, 61, of Watkins, was still in the vehicle. Through investigation, deputies learned Rusthoven was initially southbound on County Road 9 approaching the stop sign at County Road 17, when he ran the stop sign and went into the field to the south. He struck a sign at a high rate of speed and then drove out of the field. He then continued eastbound through Holdingford before going southbound on County Road 9. He then went into the ditch where he remained until deputies and other responders arrived.
Rusthoven was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. Rusthoven was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor. The crash remains under investigation.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Holdingford Fire Department, Car Co Towing, and Mayo Ambulance Service.
Dispatch 320-251-4240 | Records 320-259-3700
Email sheriff@co.stearns.mn.us | Twitter @Stearns_Sheriff
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