Alcohol Suspected In Fatal Head-On Crash In Central MN

GREENBUSH TOWNSHIP, MN — A Saint Cloud man suspected of drunk driving crossed the center line on Highway 95 and struck another vehicle head-on Wednesday afternoon, killing a 77-year-old Audubon woman, according to Minnesota State Patrol.

The crash happened around 3:49 p.m. Wednesday near 150th Avenue in Greenbush Township, Mille Lacs County, troopers said. Jason Derrick Ziebarth, 52, of Saint Cloud, was driving a 2017 Nissan Rogue eastbound when he crossed the center line and struck a westbound 2026 Chevrolet Blazer head-on, according to the State Patrol.

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Ziebarth is suspected of having been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, troopers said.

Ziebarth suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to North Memorial Health. He was wearing his seat belt, according to the State Patrol.

The Blazer was driven by Arden Lee Rouse, 79, of Audubon, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to St. Cloud Hospital.

His passenger, Linda Diane Rouse, 77, was killed in the crash.

Another passenger, Janet Claire Huntley, 74, of Audubon, suffered non-life-threatening injuries but was not taken to a hospital.

All three were wearing seat belts, and alcohol was not suspected to be a factor for the Chevrolet's occupants, according to the State Patrol.

The road was dry at the time of the crash. The Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office, Princeton Police Department, Princeton Fire Department and North Memorial Health assisted the State Patrol at the scene.