Otter Tail County Reflects After Fatal Highway 29 Crash: A Reminder to Slow Down and Stay Alert
A week after the Oct. 19 Highway 29 crash that claimed the life of a 45-year-old Miltona man, Otter Tail County residents are reflecting on rural road safety, aging drivers, and the need for greater caution on high-speed two-lane highways.
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A week after the fatal three-vehicle crash on Minnesota Highway 29 that claimed the life of 45-year-old David Anderson of Miltona, Otter Tail County residents are continuing to process the loss — and to consider what can be learned from it.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the Oct. 19 collision occurred just south of 108th Street in Parkers Prairie Township. Anderson’s northbound motorcycle struck a southbound 2013 Chrysler Town and Country minivan that was turning east into a driveway, then hit a southbound 2013 Buick Regal. Anderson, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported, and road conditions were dry.
The other drivers were identified by the State Patrol as 90-year-old Jurlienne Ella Riedel of Parkers Prairie and 51-year-old Shane David Christensen of Ivanhoe. Neither was injured. The State Patrol and Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate. No charges had been reported as of late October.
The crash was the first traffic fatality recorded in Otter Tail County for October 2025, according to state patrol data. Officials say incidents like this highlight ongoing safety challenges on two-lane rural highways — including limited visibility at driveways, higher travel speeds, and the mix of local, farm, and commuter traffic.
Transportation and public safety advocates often recommend countermeasures such as clearer signage, rumble strips, and targeted speed enforcement in high-risk areas. While no specific changes have been announced, the incident has renewed local attention to these concerns.
The case also draws focus to two broader safety issues: the mobility of older drivers and the vulnerability of motorcyclists, even when protective gear is used. Both are recurring factors in Minnesota crash data, particularly on rural roads.
For the Miltona community, the death of a 45-year-old resident is a sobering reminder of how quickly routine travel can turn tragic. Local officials urge all drivers to take extra caution, especially during fall conditions when daylight hours shorten and visibility decreases.
The message remains simple: slow down, look twice, and make it home safely.
