By Paul Walsh
Star Tribune
MINNEAPOLIS — A pickup truck packed with teenage boys on a country road west of the Twin Cities rolled over and landed in a farm field late Sunday night, with a 16-year-old behind the wheel, injuring all nine in the vehicle, authorities in Wright County said Monday.
Sheriff’s deputies discovered the severely damaged pickup in a bean field at the intersection of County Road 35 and Peyton Avenue NW. in French Lake Township, north of Cokato.
The driver was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center by air ambulance and was in satisfactory condition Monday, while the others were driven to various hospitals. None of the injuries is believed to be life-threatening.
“At this point we don’t have any indication of alcohol or substance use” among anyone in the truck, said Sheriff’s Capt. Todd Hoffman.
Seven of the nine were in the pickup’s bed. The driver and a passenger were in the cab.
The driver was identified as Blayne Kovisto, 16, of Dassel. Seated next to him was Nels Wuollet, 16, also of Dassel.
Seated in the truck’s bed were: Ryan Raisanen, 17, of Greenfield; Kyle Laho, 16, of Corcoran; Clayton Johnson, 15, of Dassel; Niklas Lee, 15, of Greenfield; Peyton Halonen, 15, of Monticello; Chad Hoikka, 15, of Cokato; and Garrett Keplinger, 15, of Cokato.
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