(The investigation into this incident is active and ongoing, according to Commander Ben Zawacki, who is releasing the following information).

Five people were taken to area hospitals late Wednesday after three vehicles crashed on U.S. Hwy. 10 in Clear Lake Twp., according to Commander Ben Zawacki. 

Investigators believe that Dale R. Braun, 70, of St. Cloud, was driving east in the westbound lanes of Hwy. 10 when he and his Ford Flex vehicle turned onto 70th Ave. and entered the eastbound lane of Hwy. 10. They believe he entered the roadway in front of a GMC Sierra pickup, driven by Blayke Mostad, 17, of Milaca. Passengers in that vehicle were Braxton Mostad, 15, of Milaca, and Thomas Hansen, 19, of Big Lake. The pickup hit Braun’s vehicle in a T-bone collision that left both vehicles in the left lane of eastbound Hwy. 10.

At the same time, State Patrol Trooper Ryan Moeser, 36, was responding to the report of the wrong-way driver and was heading east on Hwy.10 in the left lane in his Dodge Charger when he came upon the two vehicles and was unable to avoid a collision. Investigators are examining the possibility that some of the occupants of the vehicles involved in the T-bone were outside of their vehicles when the second collision occurred.

Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in this case.

All five people involved in the incident were taken to hospitals. Hansen and Moeser were treated and released. Braun was taken to CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital. The Mostads were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center.