Fatal Two-Vehicle Crash in Mille Lacs County Leaves One Dead, Several Injured, Including Children

MILLE LACS COUNTY, MN — A tragic two-vehicle crash on Saturday morning in Greenbush Township claimed the life of one person and left several others, including children, with injuries. The accident occurred on Highway 95 near 120th Avenue when a 2003 Buick Lesabre crossed the center line and collided head-on with a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the driver of the Buick, 36-year-old Ulysses Stephen Chase of Harris, Minnesota, died at the scene. Authorities reported that Chase was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. The incident report did not provide details on what caused Chase to cross into oncoming traffic, but an investigation is underway to determine the factors involved.

Three passengers in Chase’s car, a 41-year-old woman and two children, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. They were treated at a local hospital, but further details about their conditions have not been released.

The driver of the Chevrolet Equinox, 63-year-old Geralyn Marie Weitzel of Menomonie, Wisconsin, sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash. She was rushed to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where her condition remains unclear. Weitzel’s two passengers, a 38-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl, were fortunate to escape with only minor injuries.

Authorities have not yet determined if alcohol played a role in the accident, but toxicology tests and a full investigation are ongoing. The State Patrol, along with local law enforcement, is working to gather more details about the circumstances leading up to the crash, including potential driver impairment and road conditions at the time.

This incident has brought attention to the importance of seatbelt use, as Chase’s fatal injuries may have been worsened by his lack of seatbelt use. The community in Mille Lacs County is reeling from the accident, which serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of head-on collisions.

As the investigation continues, officials urge anyone with information about the crash to come forward. Further updates on the condition of Weitzel and the ongoing investigation are expected in the coming days.