By Brenda Erdahl
Five people were injured and transported to area hospitals after a head-on collision, Wednesday afternoon, March 27 in Maple Lake Township.
The incident happened just before 2:30 p.m. near Baker Ave NW. on Highway 55.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Jonah M. Maddox, age 38 of Cold Spring was headed east on Highway 55 when it collided head on with a Chrysler Town and Country driven by Margaret Louise Keesling, age 54 of Silver Lake. Margaret and four of her five passengers were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Among them, Aubrie Houchin, age 15 of Brainerd was transferred to Allina Buffalo; Jase Robert Keesling, age 10 of Monticello was transported to Children’s Hospital; Jessica Ann Lampi, age 36 of Monticello was transported to Unity Hospital, and Sierra Lee Oustad, age 34 of Brainerd was transported to Allina Buffalo. Margaret Keesling was transported to HCMC.
Steven Robert Keesling, age 30 of Monticello was the sixth occupant of the van and was not injured.
Maddox, who was not injured, was believed by the State Patrol to have been drinking alcohol. The State Patrol also reported the roads were dry at the time of the collision.
Buffalo Police and Fire responded in addition to the State Patrol, along with Wright COSO, Allina, CentraCare, LifeLink and MNDot.
Two cars and seven people were involved in a Maple Lake Township accident last week on Highway 55.