Fatal Highway 95 crash kills one, seriously injures another

A crash on Highway 95 near Princeton on Saturday, Sept. 14 killed one driver and seriously injured another.

The fatal crash occurred after one vehicle crossed the center line and hit the other head-on.

At approximately 11:58 a.m., Ulysses Chase, age 36, of Harris, was traveling eastbound on Highway 95 near 120th Avenue in Greenbush Township about four miles outside of Princeton in a 2003 Buick Lasabre, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

At the same time, Geralyn Weitzel, age 63, of Menominie, Wisconsin, was traveling westbound on Highway 95 near the same location in a 2003 Chevrolet Equinox.

The Buick then crossed the center line and collided with the Equinox head-on, according to the State Patrol.

Chase was killed in the incident and was later report to have not been wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, the State Patrol reported.

The three passengers inside of the Buick all sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash, the State Patrol reported. Two of the passengers were transported to the St. Cloud Hospital, and the third was transported to the Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis for treatment. None of the passengers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

Weitzel sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash and was transported to Regions Hospital in St. Paul for treatment, the State Patrol reported.

The two passengers in the Equinox sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center for treatment. Weitzel and both passengers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, the State Patrol reported.

According to the State Patrol, road conditions were dry and alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

The Minnesota DNR, Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office, Princeton Police Department, and Princeton Fire Department assisted the State Patrol at the scene. Two medical helicopters were also reportedly called to the scene.