Lake Crystal, Minnesota – A pickup truck broke through lake ice in Lake Crystal, Minnesota, Thursday night, prompting removal efforts.
According to the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at 9:49 p.m. on February 12 to a report of a vehicle that had gone through the ice on Lake Crystal.
Authorities identified the driver as 25-year-old Spencer James Petersen of Lake Crystal. He was the sole occupant of the truck and was not injured.
The vehicle, a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, became fully submerged in approximately eight feet of water about 100 yards east of Lakeshore Drive and East Humphrey Street, officials said.
Conversations are ongoing regarding removal of the truck from the lake. Under Minnesota Statute 86B.107, submerged vehicles must be removed within 30 days, with the owner responsible for associated costs.
The sheriff’s office noted that Lake Crystal’s aeration system may have contributed to weakened ice in the area. Authorities reminded residents that ice conditions can vary significantly across bodies of water, even during prolonged cold periods.
The incident serves as a reminder for anglers, snowmobilers, and students accessing frozen lakes to use extreme caution, especially later in the season when ice thickness can become inconsistent.
No additional injuries were reported, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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