A late-morning crash on a north St. Cloud street has left a pregnant woman fighting for her life, her unborn baby dead, and a 32-year-old Avon man facing serious charges after authorities say alcohol likely played a role.
Crash In North St. Cloud
According to WJON, the collision happened just before 1 p.m. Friday in the 3200 block of 5th Street North. Investigators say an SUV veered into oncoming traffic and slammed into an eastbound minivan.
The impact left the minivan engulfed in flames with the driver trapped inside. St. Cloud Fire Department crews rushed in, extricated her from the wreckage and put out the fire, according to the station.
Arrest And Identities
St. Cloud police identified the minivan driver as 34-year-old Nastaho Amare of St. Cloud and said she was in the late stages of pregnancy. She remains in critical condition at St. Cloud Hospital.
The SUV was driven by 32-year-old Christopher Otte of Avon, who suffered injuries that authorities described as non-life-threatening. He was later booked into the Stearns County Jail, according to KNSI.
“Based on the investigation,” a police statement said, “officers believed Otte was impaired and that alcohol was a contributing factor,” as reported by Star Tribune. Court records show Otte was convicted of drunken driving in 2019, the paper noted.
Legal Implications
Under Minnesota law, causing the death of an unborn child through criminal vehicular operation is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. That maximum can rise to 15 years if the offense involves impairment and happens within ten years of a qualifying prior driving offense, according to Minnesota Statutes.
KARE 11 reports that formal charges have been filed in the case. Court records and blood-test results were not immediately available, and the Minnesota State Patrol assisted with crash reconstruction. The Stearns County Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
