William Messerschmidt Fatally Struck While Cycling on Highway 115 in Darling Township

A fatal collision occurred at approximately 19:20 on September 6, 2025, on Highway 115 at 95th Avenue in Darling Township, Morrison County, Minnesota. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 2006 Ram 1500 traveling westbound on the highway struck a bicycle with which it made contact near the intersection. Road conditions at the time were reported as dry.

The bicyclist, identified as 78-year-old William Emil Messerschmidt of Randall, Minnesota, sustained fatal injuries and was transported to St. Gabriel's Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. He was reported to have been wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. The driver of the pickup truck, 35-year-old Jeffrey Lewis Weaver of Sauk Centre, was uninjured. Alcohol was not involved on the part of the driver, and the incident remains under investigation.