Fatal Crash
On April 12, 2026, at 7:20 P.M., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received reports of a crash with injuries near the intersection of County Road 7 and County Road 44 on the north side of Fairhaven Townsite. Parties on scene told dispatchers that there were multiple injuries and that one person may have been ejected from the vehicle.
Upon arrival deputies learned that a 2022 Silver Ford Expedition, driven by Gavin Timmers, 16, of St. Augusta, was traveling westbound on County Road 44 approaching the intersection with County Road 7. This intersection is controlled by stop signs for westbound traffic on County Road 44 and eastbound traffic on 140th Street. The Ford Expedition entered the intersection and collided with a White Dodge Ram truck, driven by Katie Payne, 42, of Maple Lake. At the time she was traveling northbound on County Road 7 approaching County Road 44.
The Ford Expedition was occupied by passengers Patrick Ternes, 79, St. Cloud; Tina Timmers, 56, St. Augusta; Ehren Timmers, 49, St. Augusta; and Grant Timmers, 19, St. Augusta. The Dodge Ram was occupied by passengers Kyrsten Payne, 15, Maple Lake, and Ryan Payne, 47, Maple Lake,
The impact at the intersection caused the Timmers Ford Expedition to roll. Care was provided to all occupants at the scene by responding law enforcement, fire departments and ambulance services. Despite life-saving attempts on scene Tina Timmers was declared deceased at the crash location. All other parties were treated on scene for a variety of injuries and transported to the St. Cloud Hospital.
The Minnesota State Patrol was requested to respond to the scene and will be providing a crash reconstruction report. The crash remains under investigation.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota DNR, South Haven Fire & Rescue, Mayo Ambulance Service, and the Watkins Ambulance Service.
Dispatch 320-251-4240 | Records 320-259-3700
Email sheriff@co.stearns.mn.us | Twitter @Stearns_Sheriff
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