A violent three-vehicle collision on Highway 95 in Princeton Township claimed four lives on Monday afternoon, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The crash happened around 2:54 p.m. near 7702 Highway 95, just east of 75th Avenue, in Mille Lacs County.
Investigators say an 80-year-old woman driving a Honda HRV was traveling westbound when her vehicle crossed the center line and struck an eastbound Volkswagen Jetta carrying a family of four.
The impact proved fatal for most of those involved. A third vehicle, a Nissan Altima following behind the Jetta, was also struck when a tire came loose from one of the crashing cars, though its driver escaped injury.
Victims Identified as Princeton Family
The Minnesota State Patrol identified the Honda’s driver as Marilyn Marshall, 80, of Princeton. She died at the scene and was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Inside the Volkswagen were four members of the Geisler family, all from Princeton. Jeffrey Geisler, 60, who was driving, and his wife, Susan, 57, both died at the scene. Their 16-year-old son, Steven, was rushed to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
An 18-year-old passenger, Janessa Geisler, survived the crash but was airlifted or transported to North Memorial Medical Center with injuries described as life-threatening. Her current condition has not been publicly updated.
The driver of the Nissan Altima, who was not named, was not injured in the crash.
Investigation Ongoing, Alcohol Not a Factor
State Patrol officials have said that alcohol does not appear to have played a role in the crash. Beyond confirming the sequence of events, that a westbound vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic before striking the Jetta head-on, authorities have released few additional details.
No citations or charges had been announced as of the latest update, and the investigation into the exact cause of the lane departure remains open.
The tragedy has shaken the small community of Princeton, where all four people who died, along with the surviving passenger, were residents. Local outlets reported that the crash shut down portions of Highway 95 for hours on Monday as crews worked to clear the scene and investigate.
This marks one of the deadliest single crashes reported in the region so far this year. Officials have not indicated whether road conditions or visibility contributed to the collision, and further details are expected to be released as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to contact the Minnesota State Patrol.
