Thomas Torstenson Among Injured in Holdingford Crash

On May 3, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m., a serious two-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of County Road 17 and County Road 3, east of Holdingford, Minnesota. The Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received reports of a T-bone style crash involving a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta, driven by 18-year-old Shailyn Welinski of Holdingford, and a 2017 Dodge Ram, driven by 33-year-old Ryan Harris of Melrose. Welinski was traveling northbound on CR 3 and was struck on the passenger’s side by the westbound Dodge Ram, resulting in significant damage. One vehicle overturned, while the other was forced into the northwest ditch of the intersection.

Emergency response was swift, with a Minnesota DNR officer arriving first and calling for multiple ambulances. Welinski sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital via Life Link helicopter. Thomas Torstenson, 66, of Sauk Centre, a passenger in the Dodge Ram, was transported by Mayo Ambulance, and Harris was taken to the hospital by a private party.