Fatal Crash in Avon Township

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal crash on Monday afternoon at the intersection of County Roads 9 and 52 in Avon Township – just north of St. Anna. 62-year-old Douglas Blonigen of Avon had been driving his 2014 Chrysler Town & Country minivan southbound on County Road 9. As Blonigen entered the intersection, he saw a red car enter the intersection in front of him from the west. He did not have time to brake and struck the car on the driver’s side.

Blonigan estimated his speed to be 55-60 mph. The red car was a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by 18-year-old Ellie Wittstruck of Sartell. She died at the scene. Her passenger, 18-year-old Gracie Grams of Saint Cloud, was airlifted by Life Link helicopter to the St. Cloud Hospital with life threatening injuries. Blonigen sustained minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital. Traffic on County Road 52 is controlled by a stop sign. Traffic on County Road 9 does not have a stop sign at that intersection.

Stearns Deputies were assisted on the scene by Avon Police Department, Avon Fire Department, Albany Fire Department, Mayo Ambulance, and Life Link Helicopter.  The Minnesota State Patrol assisted with accident reconstruction.