Four people killed in crash near Nicollet

New Ulm couple treated and

released

NICOLLET -- Four people died early Sunday in a fiery head-on collision on U.S. 14 just west of Nicollet in south-central Minnesota, the State Patrol said.

A pickup truck hit an oncoming car and burst into flames while trying to pass another vehicle at 12:46 a.m., the patrol said.

Both people in the oncoming car were killed. They were identified as Cynthia Linbo, 53, and Mark Linbo, 56, both of New Ulm. The patrol said air bags in their car, a 1993 Dodge Intrepid, deployed, but the victims were not wearing seat belts.

The two people in the pickup, a 1998 Chevy, also died. One was identified as Joseph Meldin, 23, of Janesville. Authorities were not immediately able to positively identify the other victim because of the fire. Officers also weren't able to determine whether those victims were wearing seat belts. The pickup was not equipped with air bags.

A third car crashed into the accident scene, but the two people inside were not seriously injured. Both were wearing seat belts and air bags in the car deployed, the patrol said. Roger Bauer, 54, of New Ulm, and his wife, Joyce, 53, were treated at New Ulm Medical Center and released after suffering bruises.

The Bauers were returning from their grandson's birthday party in Maplewood, said Roger. As they came out of Nicollet, they saw flashing lights on the right side of the road ahead, where someone was changing the tire on a car. The line of traffic he was slowed to about 50 or 55, said Roger.

"I slowed down too," said Roger, who was driving a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. "I wasn't going to pass anybody, I was just trying to get home."

"I remember thinking with all the people on the road that I hope nobody is drunk and crosses the line," said Bauer.

A mile or two west of Nicollet, Joyce saw a fireball erupt ahead of them. Roger said he hit the brakes as the Intrepid ahead of him swerved. They felt their airbags pop and heard a crash as they went into the ditch.

"It was just a flash, and then something hit us," said Joyce.

Roger thought they had hit the back of the Linbo car, but saw later the back end of the Intrepid was undamaged. "The pickup, or part of the pickup, must have hit us," he said.

Someone else was in the ditch, after seeing the oncoming pickup approaching in the west lane after passing, said Roger. "Those people said, 'They're not going back into their lane,' and took to the ditch to avoid them," said Roger.

Both the Bauers said they didn't see approaching headlights through the Intrepid's windows, and didn't see the Linbo's brake lights.

"I don't think they knew what was coming," said Roger. "They never knew what hit them."

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This story was compiled from information gathered by the Associated Press and Journal Editor Kevin Sweeney.