Minnesota Senator Injured In Snowmobile Accident Says He Won’t Miss Session

MORRISON COUNTY, MN (KDLM) – The Minnesota State senator who was injured in a snowmobile accident last Friday says that he’s committed to participating in the early days of this year’s Legislative Session.

Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault), who also serves as the Assistant Majority Leader, suffered several broken bones when he was thrown from his snowmobile while on some trails about six miles from Motley last Friday.

Jasinksi was taken by ambulance to Lakewood Health System in Staples, where doctors diagnosed him with three broken ribs, a broken pelvis, and fractured L5 vertebrae. He was later airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale and said he expects to fully recover.

“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 statement on Monday. “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. I want my constituents to know they can continue to reach out for assistance, and I will do whatever I can to help.”

According to the Morrison County Sherrif’s office, Jasinski was making a 90-degree turn when he “lost control causing him to be thrown off the snowmobile,”. Fellow state Sen. Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, “then struck the snowmobile that was unoccupied,” the sheriff’s office said.

An earlier statement from the Morrison County Sheriff said Johnson had “rear-ended” Jasinski’s snowmobile, causing Jasinski to be thrown off.

The two senators were attending the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association’s Winter Rendezvous trail ride in Scandia Valley Township along with other Senate GOP caucus members and staff.

Johnson said he was not hurt and was back at the state Capitol on Monday.