A 32-year-old man driving alone crashed his sport-utility vehicle on a dark county road west of the Twin Cities, then was taken in a private car 40 miles to a hospital, where he died, authorities said Wednesday.

Now Wright County sheriff's officials have investigators looking into whether a crime was committed.

A Sheriff's Office dispatcher received a call about 2:45 a.m. Monday regarding an SUV in the ditch at the "T" intersection of 40th Street SW. and County Road 7 northeast of Howard Lake, according to Sheriff Joe Hagerty.

Deputies found the SUV in a ditch south of 40th Street, the sheriff said.

Further investigation revealed that the driver, Keotavanh Saengchanthalath, of St. Cloud, was taken in a private vehicle about 40 miles north to St. Cloud Hospital, Hagerty's statement continued.

Saengchanthalath died at the hospital.

"The transporter was known to the victim," Sheriff's Capt. Todd Hoffman said Wednesday.

As for details about the crash itself and how the other person became involved after the wreck, "I can't be more specific," Hoffman said.

"It's currently being investigated by our detectives to determine whether or not a crime was committed."

Paul Walsh