Apr. 28—HAYFIELD, Minn. — After a semi truck rolled over on Minnesota Highway 56, 43 of the hogs being transported inside the trailer were euthanized, according to a statement from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office.
A semi truck was traveling on Highway 56 South north of 680th Street between Hayfield and Dodge Center when it rolled over around 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025, the statement said. The semi, which was pulling a hog transportation trailer, was resting on its side in the ditch. There were several hogs in the ditch and in a field that had been ejected from the trailer.
The driver of the semi, 32-year-old Justin McNichols, was treated on the scene.
About 127 uninjured hogs were transferred to another trailer and 43 injured hogs were euthanized, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The hogs were being transported for Schwartz Farms.
The highway was shut down at Highway 56 and 670th Street.
The Minnesota State Patrol, Hayfield Fire Department and Hayfield Community Ambulance Service responded to the crash. There was also approximately 8 gallons of diesel fuel spilled on the highway from the crash that was contained and cleaned up by the fire department.
McNichols of Masching Transport, LLC was cited for distracted driving, the statement said.
