Pine Island man dies of injuries suffered in Wednesday crash

• Kia

The Kia Sorrento driven by Cassandra Smith where it came to rest Wednesday.
• Motorcycle

Where the motorcycle driven by Dennis R. Manning came to rest in Wednesday's accident.

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A Pine Island, Minn., died late Wednesday at Regions Hospital in St. Paul as a result of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident on Hwy. 63 near Ellsworth late Wednesday afternoon. Dennis R. Manning, 65, passed away late Wednesday evening, according to Pierce County Chief Deputy Jason Matthys .

Manning and his passenger, a Rochester, Minn., woman were airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul late Wednesday afternoon after their motorcycle was struck by a small SUV, ejecting them. The Kia Sorrento that struck them then entered a ditch and overturned.

The crash was reported at 4:28 p.m., Oct. 3rd on Hwy. 63, a half-mile south of CTH K.

Pierce County authorities said Manning was flown from the scene to Regions, while his passenger, Stephanie L. Foster, 38, of Rochester, was transported by Ellsworth Area Ambulance personnel to River Falls Area Hospital where she was loaded in a waiting helicopter for an airlift to St. Paul.

Foster was reported to be in fair condition at 8 a.m., Thursday.

The driver of the 2004 Kia, Cassandra C. Smith, 20, of Red Wing, was taken by Prescott Ambulance to River Falls Area Hospital with undetermined injuries.

Investigation indicated Smith, southbound on Hwy. 63, likely crossed the centerline and struck the northbound motorcycle.

The Wisconsin State Patrol assisted deputies by documenting the scene for a reconstruction of the accident.

Initial reports indicated Manning may have suffered a severed limb in the accident.

The crash remains under investigation by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department and the State Patrol, according to Deputy Michael Vodinelich.

Tags: area news, news, ellsworth, accidents, wisconsin