A Big Lake man died in a two-vehicle traffic crash last Sunday morning in Mille Lacs County.

The Minnesota State Patrol reports that a little before 12 noon, a Chevy Trailblazer SUV, driven by 69-year-old Donald Goerisch,  and a Honda pickup, driven by  79-year-old Richard Lang of Excelsior, collided head-on while traveling on Hwy. 169 in South Harbor Township.

Officials say Goerisch was southbound on Hwy. 169 when his vehicle crossed the center line, striking Langs pickup which was northbound. 

Goerisch died at the scene and authorities said he was not wearing a seat belt. 

Lang sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported by helicopter to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. His passenger, 62-year-old Mary Lick, also of Excelsior, had non-life threatening injuries and was airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. 

The Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office, Onamia Fire Department, Onamia Ambulance, and North Air and Lifelink Air assisted the State Patrol