St. Cloud Crash Leaves Pregnant Woman in Critical Condition, Baby Dead
St. Cloud, MN – A two-vehicle crash on Friday afternoon resulted in a pregnant woman sustaining critical injuries and the death of her unborn child.
At approximately 12:56 p.m., St. Cloud Police responded to a collision at the intersection of 33rd Avenue North and Fifth Street North. Christopher James Otte, 32, was driving a GMC Yukon when it collided head-on with a Toyota Sienna operated by a 34-year-old pregnant woman.
Authorities found the woman wedged between the driver's seat and dashboard upon arrival. As emergency responders attempted to assist her, the vehicle caught fire. She was subsequently transported to a local hospital and remains in critical condition. The unborn child was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Witnesses reported that the Yukon was traveling at a high rate of speed before the incident. Surveillance footage confirmed the vehicle ran a stop sign at the intersection of 25th Avenue North. Officials determined that Otte's vehicle was speeding and swerving into oncoming traffic prior to the crash.
Following the accident, Otte exhibited signs of impairment, including slurred speech and unsteadiness. A preliminary breath test indicated an alcohol concentration of .201. Otte admitted to consuming two drinks earlier that day and acknowledged, “It was my fault.”
Otte faces two counts of criminal vehicular operation under the influence, one for the death of the unborn child and one for great bodily harm. He has a prior DWI conviction from 2019. Otte's next court appearance is scheduled for March 16.