Dakota County Crash Kills 2 Fathers; Young Children Onboard

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — Two families are mourning the loss of fathers after a crash that took place hours before Father's Day. On Saturday just before 9 p.m., the Dakota County Sheriff's Office responded to a two-car crash at the intersection of Goodwin Avenue and 190th Street East in Vermillion Township.

Witnesses told police that a Ford F-150, driven by 36-year-old Jon Fontaine of Farmington with his 12-year-old son in a passenger seat, was traveling south on Goodwin Avenue and did not slow for the stop sign at 190th Street East.

The pickup went through the intersection and collided with the front end of a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse traveling west on 190th Street east, causing it to roll, authorities said.

Both vehicles ended up in the southwest ditch of the intersection.

The Traverse was driven by 33-year-old Jillayne Lazer of Rosemount, with her husband Jared, 34, in the front passenger seat.

Their three children, ages 5, 5, and 2, were rear-seat passengers.

Both Jared Lazer and Jon Fontaine died at the scene. The five other victims were transported to hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

The Minnesota State Patrol is assisting with the investigation to determine other possible factors in the crash.

"Sadly, this tragedy took the lives of two fathers the day before Father's Day," county authorities said in a statement. "The Dakota County Sheriff's Office sends our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims."

Image via Google Streetview