Two dead in accident at Highway 4/55 intersection

A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Highways 4 and 55 east of Paynesville left two dead on Friday evening. The accident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 1, at the highway intersection just east of the bridge commonly known as the Five-Mile Bridge.

A 1997 Dodge Stratus, driven by Hussein Bati, 37, of St. Cloud was turning to go north on Highway 4/55, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. His car was struck in the left rear by a 1977 Chevy pick-up truck driven by Michael Thielen, 31, of Paynesville, who was eastbound on Highway 55.

According to the Meeker County Sheriff's Office, Bati went through the stop sign on Highway 4 before being struck by Thielen, who did not report any injuries.

Two passengers in Bati's car died. Hamiza Baku, 21, of St. Cloud died at the scene. Osman Wako, 22, of Columbia Heights was airlifted to the St. Cloud Hospital and later died.

Mohammed Gobna, 22, of Waite Park was also airlifted to the St. Cloud Hospital. Bati; Hora Beri, 59, of St. Cloud; and Mohammed Tobe, 18, of St. Cloud were transported by ambulance to the Paynesville Area Hospital.

The case is under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol.

Also assisting at the scene - according to the Meeker County Sheriff's Office - were the Paynesville Fire Department, the Paynesville Area Ambulance, the Paynesville Police Department, the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, Gold Cross Ambulance, and two LifeLink Helicopters.

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