43 hogs killed following semi rollover near Dodge Center

Apr. 28—HAYFIELD, Minn. — After a semi motortruck rolled implicit connected Minnesota Highway 56, 43 of the hogs being transported wrong the trailer were euthanized, according to a connection from the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.

A semi motortruck was traveling connected Highway 56 South northbound of 680th Street betwixt Hayfield and Dodge Center erstwhile it rolled implicit astir 4:20 p.m. connected Sunday, April 27, 2025, the connection said. The semi, which was pulling a hog proscription trailer, was resting connected its broadside successful the ditch. There were respective hogs successful the ditch and successful a tract that had been ejected from the trailer.

The operator of the semi, 32-year-old Justin McNichols, was treated connected the scene.

About 127 uninjured hogs were transferred to different trailer and 43 injured hogs were euthanized, according to the Sheriff's Office. The hogs were being transported for Schwartz Farms.

The road was unopen down astatine Highway 56 and 670th Street.

The Minnesota State Patrol, Hayfield Fire Department and Hayfield Community Ambulance Service responded to the crash. There was besides astir 8 gallons of diesel substance spilled connected the road from the clang that was contained and cleaned up by the occurrence department.

McNichols of Masching Transport, LLC was cited for distracted driving, the connection said.