2 Drivers Hospitalized in Head On Collision Crash Near Lake Crystal

On Thursday morning at 7:45 am deputies responded to a crash with injuries on County Road 9 just east of Lake Crystal near 515th Avenue. Callers reported a head-on collision involving a red Honda Pilot and a gray Chevrolet Suburban.

The driver and only occupant of the Honda Pilot was identified as 59-year-old German Anibal Ortega of Lake Crystal. The driver and only occupant of the Chevrolet Suburban was identified as 44-year-old Deisy De Leon Esqueda of rural Lake Crystal.

German Ortega was transported from the scene by ground ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. Deisy De Leon Esqueda was transported from the scene by air ambulance also with non-life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigation determined the Honda Pilot was traveling west on County Road 9 and the Chevrolet Suburban was traveling east. Witnesses reported seeing the Honda Pilot cross the centerline of the roadway prior to the crash.

The incident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the MN State Patrol. Personnel with the Lake Crystal Fire Department, Lake Crystal Ambulance, and Mayo Clinic Air Ambulance assisted at the scene.

A GoFundMe has been established to support the De Leon Esqueda family.