Enterprise Dispatch Blog

COKATO, WAVERLY, BUFFALO, MN – A Cokato native is dead and two Cokato residents were injured as a result of a four-vehicle crash north of Waverly Monday at about 4 p.m.
Mark Braatz, a 1980 Dassel-Cokato High School graduate and Buffalo resident, was pronounced dead at the scene. It did not appear that Braatz, 49, was wearing his seat belt, according to the Wright County Sheriff’s Department.

Charles Janckila, 18, and Trent Janckila, 18, of Cokato, were both transported to Buffalo Hospital for injuries sustained during the crash. Wayne Gangl of Buffalo was also transported to the Buffalo Hospital.

Initial investigation by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office indicated that a 2009 Toyota Highlander driven by Judy Tripp*, 64, of Waverly, was northbound and stopped in traffic, waiting to make a left turn into the driveway at 2362 Wright County Road 35 West in Chatham Township.

Braatz, who was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe, was slowing down directly behind the Toyota when his vehicle was struck in the rear by a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, also northbound.

The Silverado was driven by Gangl, 43, of Buffalo. The impact caused the Tahoe to collide with the rear of the Toyota and overturn into the southbound lane.

The Tahoe was then hit on the roof by a 1997 Dodge Dakota, which was southbound on Wright County Road 35 West. Charles Janckila was driving the Dodge, and Trent Janckila was his passenger.

The incident remains under investigation by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.

*In the original press release from the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, the driver of the Toyota Highlander was listed as James Tripp, 66, of Waverly. The sheriff’s office has since corrected the error.