BrowSheriff Press Release
Type of Incident: Two Vehicle Crash with Single Fatality
Date of Incident: 01-11-2024 Time of Incident: 1424 hours
Location of Incident: Brown County Road 20 and 140th Avenue
Names, Ages, Address of Person(s) involved:
Dean Martin Steffensmeier, 13945 State Highway 15, Hanska, Minnesota 56041 – age 76
Donna Lee Steffensmeier, 13945 State Highway 15, Hanska, Minnesota 56041 – age 75
Steven Don Howard, 300 Chancery Lane, Mankato Minnesota 56001 – age 72
Details of Incident:
The Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota received a 9-1-1 call on 01-11-2024 at 1424 hours of a two vehicle crash at the intersection of Brown County Road 20 and 140th Avenue. Dean Steffensmeier and his passenger, Donna Steffensmeier, were driving westbound on County Road 20 in a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. Steven Howard was driving northbound on 140th Avenue in a 2019 Toyota 4-Runner.
The two vehicles collided at the intersection of Brown County Road 20 and 140th Avenue. Donna Steffensmeier, 75, was pronounced deceased at the scene as a result of her injuries. Dean Steffensmeier, 76, was treated at the scene and flown by Mayo Air Ambulance to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Steven Howard, 72, was treated at the scene and released.
No alcohol or drug use was suspected. All occupants were wearing seat belts and front air bags, and side air bags were deployed. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol are investigating the two vehicle crash.
Agencies assisting at the scene include: Hanska Fire Department, Hanska First Responders, Allina (ground) Ambulance, Mayo Air Ambulance, Minnesota State Patrol, and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.