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Head-on collision claims life of Ruthton man

Lead Summary
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By
Mavis Fodness

A Ruthton man died Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash that closed down State Highway 23 south of Jasper for several hours.
According to information from the Minnesota State Patrol, Earl Dean Gruis, 67, was driving a 2014 Cadillac SRX southbound on Highway 23 just south of County Road 7 in Rock County when a 2013 Ford F250 driven by Kevin Jon Wheeler, 37, of Tea, South Dakota, crossed the centerline.
The vehicles collided head-on and Gruis died at the scene, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Wheeler received life-threatening injuries from the crash that was reported at 12:36 p.m. and was airlifted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
A passenger in the Wheeler vehicle, Jeremiah Joe Charlie Williams, 32, of Monroe, South Dakota, received non-life threatening injuries. He was transported to Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone.
The report noted road conditions were wet at the time of the crash.
Gruis was wearing a seatbelt while it is unknown if Williams or Wheeler were using seatbelts.
Highway 23 was closed to traffic for more than five hours between 191st and 201st streets in Rosedell Township with both lanes reopening about 6 p.m.
Jasper Fire Department and Jasper Ambulance responded to the crash. An ambulance crew from North Memorial Health came upon the scene.
Assisting the state patrol were Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Rock County Ambulance and Minnesota Department of Transportation.

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