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A tragic single-vehicle accident claimed the life of Braden Charles Rahlf, a 19-year-old Rochester resident, early Saturday morning in Olmsted County, Minnesota, sending shockwaves through the local community.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the fatal crash occurred around 5:54 a.m. on January 3, 2026, along eastbound U.S. Highway 14 near milepost 206 in Kalmar Township, between Rochester and Byron. Rahlf was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Impala when the vehicle unexpectedly left the roadway and rolled into a ditch on the south side of the highway.
Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene, but Rahlf, who was the only person in the vehicle, was pronounced dead due to injuries sustained in the rollover. Authorities confirmed that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, and the vehicle’s airbags did not deploy. Investigators noted that alcohol and drugs are not believed to be contributing factors.
Road conditions were reported as dry, and weather does not appear to have played a role. Troopers are continuing to examine what caused the vehicle to veer off the roadway, including the possibility of driver inattention or mechanical issues.
The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene as traffic was temporarily affected while first responders conducted their work and cleared the area.
News of Rahlf’s death has left family, friends, and the Rochester community grieving the loss of a young life taken far too soon. Loved ones remember him as someone with his future ahead of him, now gone in a moment that has underscored the importance of road safety.
Authorities are using the incident as a reminder to drivers about the life-saving role of seatbelts, particularly during early morning travel when fatigue can be a factor. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.