The Lake Mills, Iowa, community is mourning the loss of Joshua David Scott, 38, who died Tuesday morning following a fatal single-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 in Freeborn County, Minnesota.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 7:57 a.m. on August 11, 2026, on northbound I-35 in Albert Lea Township.
Scott was driving a 2000 GMC Sierra pickup when the vehicle left the interstate and entered the median ditch near the East Main Street interchange. The State Patrol’s crash report identifies Scott as a Lake Mills resident and the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Scott suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not transported to a medical facility.
Several emergency agencies responded to the scene, including the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Albert Lea Police Department, Albert Lea Fire Department and Mayo Clinic Ambulance. Responders worked to secure the crash area and assess the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
The collision occurred on a busy stretch of I-35 near Albert Lea, approximately 11 miles north of the Minnesota-Iowa border. According to investigators, roadway conditions were dry at the time of the crash.
The Minnesota State Patrol has not reported the involvement of another vehicle. The official report lists one vehicle involved and indicates that Scott’s GMC pickup left the interstate before entering the median ditch.
The circumstances that caused the vehicle to leave the roadway remain part of the investigation. Authorities have not indicated whether factors such as driver condition, mechanical problems, roadway conditions or other circumstances contributed to the crash.
For Scott’s family, friends and members of the Lake Mills community, the crash represents a sudden and painful loss. His death has left loved ones facing the difficult task of remembering his life while coming to terms with his unexpected passing.
As authorities continue documenting the circumstances surrounding the collision, those who knew Joshua David Scott are left to remember the person behind the crash report and the relationships he shared with family, friends and members of his community.
