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The Minnesota State Patrol responded to the accident, just east of Regal on Highway 55, at 6:10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 13. Palmer, driving a 1992 Toyota, was westbound on Highway 55, while Ronald Brandt, 54, of Alexandria was eastbound, driving a 2004 Ford with a trailer full of tires.

Palmer crossed the centerline and struck Brandt's vehicle in a head-on, side-swip collision. Palmer's truck rolled, and he died at the scene.

Brandt, who was driving on the shoulder in an effort to avoid a collision, was treated and released from the Paynesville Area Hospital.

Palmer was born in Grand Forks, N.D., in October 1974 and moved to Paynesville with his parents in 1975. He graduated from Paynesville Area High School in 1993. He had worked at Wally's G&T Foods and Louis Industries and currently worked for Doom Construction.

Among his hobbies and interests, he loved to fish.

A funeral for Palmer was held at St. Louis Catholic Church on Saturday morning.

His survivors include his mother Madonna Leimer and stepfather Gaile Leimer of Paynesville; his sister Amber O'Brien of Eagan; and stepbrothers Jeff Leimer of Winona; Thomas Leimer of Maple Grove; and Braden Leimer of Washington, D.C.

A full obituary for Palmer can be found this week on page 8.