Lake Crystal, Minnesota – A two-vehicle crash north of Lake Crystal left a 15-year-old girl dead Sunday.
According to the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and first responders were dispatched Feb. 22 to the intersection of County Road 11 and County Road 20 for a crash involving injuries.
Investigators determined a 2002 GMC Sierra was traveling north on County Road 20, driven by 40-year-old Nathan Jon Manderfield of Lake Crystal. A passenger, 32-year-old Todd Allen Eich of Lake Crystal, was also in the vehicle. Both were evaluated at the scene and were not transported for further treatment.
Authorities said a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling east on County Road 11, driven by 17-year-old Braydon Mitchell Kral of rural New Ulm. His passenger, 15-year-old Claire Alyssa Jeske of rural Hanska, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Kral sustained serious injuries and was transported by air ambulance for additional treatment.
The intersection is controlled by a stop sign requiring east- and westbound traffic on County Road 11 to yield to north- and southbound traffic on County Road 20.
The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol. Madelia Ambulance, North Memorial Air Care, and Lake Crystal Fire also responded.
The fatal crash may impact young drivers and families across the region, particularly in rural communities with high teen travel.
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