CULDRUM TOWNSHIP, MN — A Long Prairie man died and a Long Prairie woman suffered life-threatening injuries when a utility terrain vehicle rolled over and ejected both occupants in Morrison County on Sunday, October 25. The crash happened around 7:52 p.m. on northbound Highway 28 near 20th Avenue, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The State Patrol said a 2025 Polaris Ranger XD was traveling north just beyond 20th Avenue when it left the right side of the roadway while negotiating a left curve. The UTV struck a driveway approach and rolled, throwing both people from the vehicle. Updated WJON reporting identified the driver as Eric Spaeth, 44, and the passenger as Nicole Spaeth, 45, both of Long Prairie. Eric Spaeth died in the crash. Nicole Spaeth was taken to St. Gabriel’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to that report. No later medical condition was verified for this article. Neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt or helmet, according to the crash information. Whether alcohol contributed remains under investigation. Road conditions were listed as dry. Swanville First Responders, Swanville Fire, Mayo Ambulance and the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene. State Patrol incident number: 26801344. Sources: Minnesota State Patrol crash report; updated WJON reporting published by KROC-AM on October 26, 2026. Image: Minnesota map silhouette, Pinhead / Quincy Morgan, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.