MOTLEY, Minn. — A state lawmaker from southeastern Minnesota suffered significant injuries Feb. 4 while riding a snowmobile in Morrison County.
The Morrison County Sheriff's Office says 55-year-old State Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault) was riding with fellow lawmaker Mark Johnson near Motley last Friday when their two machines collided.
Investigators originally said the two men were on a trail approaching a 90-degree turn when Johnson's sled rear-ended the one Jasinski was riding, causing him to be thrown from the snowmobile. They later changed that narrative, saying Jasinski missed the turn and was thrown from his machine, and then Johnson crashed into his friend's unoccupied sled as it slowed.
In a news release, Jasinski says he suffered a broken pelvis, broken vertebrae and broken ribs in the crash and was airlifted from the scene for treatment at North Memorial Medical Center. He shared that doctors believe he will make a full recovery.
"While the physical recovery may be long, I’m ready to participate with remote access for hearings and floor sessions and fully engage in this session," Jasinski said in a released statement. "I also will be in regular communication with Senate staff and my Legislative Assistant to continue to provide the best constituent services to my district."
Johnson, a 38-year-old Republican State Senator from East Grand Forks, was not injured.
"While at the Minnesota Rendezvous event, I was unfortunately involved in the accident that left Senator John Jasinski with injuries," said Johnson in a statement released Monday. "I want to thank the Morrison County Sheriff’s office and first responders who provided both me and John the best of care. I was uninjured and am at the Capitol today working for my constituents. I am wishing my friend and colleague the best in his recovery and look forward to having him back here at the Capitol as soon as he is able."
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