Michael Dolezal Injured in Car Accident in Willmar, MN

Willmar, MN — April 17, 2025, One person was injured following a car accident that occurred at around 11:50 A.M. on 120th Ave.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person injured during the morning hours of April 17th. According to official reports, Michael Dolezal was traveling in a Jeep Wrangler on 120th Avenue approaching the intersection with 15th Street when for unknown reasons a Ford F-250 that was traveling north on 15th Street ran a stop sign at the intersection and collided with the Wrangler.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that Dolezal had been ejected from the vehicle, and upon examination found that he had sustained serious injuries and he was transported to the hospital via helicopter. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the status of Dolezal’s injuries, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a vehicle is struck in an intersection after another driver reportedly runs a stop sign, the immediate assumption is often centered on a clear violation of traffic rules. However, crashes involving serious injuries—especially where a vehicle occupant is ejected—require a deeper and more thorough analysis. To understand what really happened, and whether all contributing factors have been identified, we must start by asking three key questions: Did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? Has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect or design issue played a role? And has all available electronic data from both vehicles been collected?

The first point of focus must be the investigation itself. In any collision involving a stop sign violation, it’s essential that authorities document not only the point of impact but also vehicle paths, sightlines at the intersection, and any potential obstructions to visibility. They must determine whether signage was properly placed and maintained, and whether either vehicle had an opportunity to avoid the crash. A detailed reconstruction can help establish speed, timing, and whether evasive action was attempted. Without these details, important questions about how the collision unfolded remain unanswered.

Second, the fact that the driver of the Jeep Wrangler was ejected raises immediate concerns about occupant protection. Jeep Wranglers are equipped with seatbelt systems and, in many cases, roll bars—but those systems must function correctly to protect occupants in the event of a crash. If the seatbelt failed to restrain the driver, or if the ejection occurred despite proper use of safety equipment, that may point to a defect in the restraint system or a failure in the vehicle’s structural performance. Additionally, the force of the impact from a larger vehicle like a Ford F-250 can introduce complexities regarding crash dynamics that warrant a closer inspection of both vehicles’ safety systems.

Lastly, electronic control modules (ECMs) in both vehicles may contain critical data about what occurred in the seconds leading up to the crash. For the Ford, this might include throttle position, speed, and brake application—which could help confirm whether the driver attempted to stop. For the Jeep, data could reveal speed, seatbelt engagement, and steering input prior to impact. All of this information can clarify the sequence of events and provide insight into whether vehicle systems functioned as intended. Investigators should also explore whether there is dash camera footage or surveillance video from nearby properties that might supplement the data.

Crashes involving intersection violations and serious injuries demand more than a surface-level explanation. By conducting a full investigation, scrutinizing the performance of safety systems, and securing all available electronic data, we move closer to understanding the full picture of what occurred. These steps are critical not only for assessing accountability, but also for identifying any systemic issues that may have made the crash more severe than it should have been.