Driver Arrested In Stearns County Crash That Injured 4

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 24-year-old man from Upsala was arrested early Saturday morning after four people were hurt in a crash in Stearns County, authorities said.

The Stearns County Sheriff's Office responded to an injury crash at about 1:24 a.m. Saturday near County Road 37 and Mary's Lake Road in Millwood Township. When authorities got to the scene, a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix was headed eastbound on County Road 37 and was attempting to head north on Mary's Lake Road when a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville struck it on the driver's side.

The driver of that vehicle had been traveling eastbound on County Road 37 and was trying to pass another vehicle that wasn't involved in the crash, authorities said.

Two people injured in the crash were taken by ambulance to a hospital and two others had to be airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office said the driver of the Bonneville, 24-year-old Christopher T. Lehner, was arrested and is in jail on suspicion of criminal vehicular operation. Police investigating the crash said they believed alcohol was a factor in the crash.