Two-Vehicle Crash Near Pequot Lakes Results in One Death

A two-vehicle collision on Saturday morning near Pequot Lakes sent three people to the hospital and resulted in one death.

The Minnesota State Patrol was alerted of a car accident at 9:24 A.M. on July 9th. According to their report, a 2012 Dodge Caravan driven by Joseph Howard Benson, 56, of Nevis, was traveling northbound on Highway 371. The car was approaching the intersection of County Road 107 and Highway 371. A 2001 Chrysler Sebring, driven by 88-year-old Anita Elaine Haller from St. Cloud, was crossing eastbound to County Road 29 when the Caravan struck the Sebring.

Haller had one passenger with her, Tyler Amber Haller, 21, of Phoenix, Arizona. Tyler sustained life-threatening injuries in the crash. She was airlifted to a hospital in Duluth. Anita Haller died at the scene.

Benson had two passengers with him at the time of the accident. 63-year-old Anthony Jay Budreau of Cass Lake was not injured. David Lee LeDoux, 40, of Belcourt, North Dakota, did receive life threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital in Duluth. Benson was sent to St. Joseph’s in Brainerd with non-life threatening injuries.

Everyone involved all wore seat belts when the collision occurred. The MSP reports that no alcohol was involved. Road conditions were dry at the time.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, Pequot Lakes Police Department and Fire Department, and Nisswa Police Department all assisted on the scene.