A pickup truck driver strayed into the opposite lane and struck another pickup in southwestern Minnesota, killing a passenger in the other vehicle riding with his two teenage children, authorities said.

The collision occurred about 4:40 p.m. Sunday on Hwy. 9, just north of Morris in Stevens County, according to the State Patrol.

Ricky D. Molden, 53, of nearby Hancock, was declared dead at the scene, the patrol said.

His daughter, 17-year-old daughter Morgan Molden, was driving, and 16-year-old son Montana Molden, was another passenger. Both survived their injuries, the patrol added.

The driver of the pickup, Randall D. Pashen, of Morris, was driving south on Hwy. 9, crossed the centerline and his the Moldens' pickup head-on, the patrol said. Pashen came away with noncritical injuries.

Authorities have yet to address why Pashen's pickup went into the wrong lane.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482