Two-vehicle Friday afternoon crash results in multiple fatalities

Five people have been identified as dead and two others sustained life-threatening injuries as the result a two-vehicle crash Friday afternoon in Cottonwood County.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 2016 GMC Terrain SUV operated by Martin Nickolas Hanson, 67, of Springfield was northbound on U.S. 71, and a 2019 Ford Transit Van operated by Matthew Arthur Schultz, 42, of Lakefield, was southbound when the vehicles collided head-on near 240th Street. The crash was reported at 4:46 p.m. Friday.

Hanson, who was alone in the GMC, died at the scene of the crash. There were 13 people in the Transit Van. Among them were Kelly Christine Hargus, 49, Richard Warren Johnson, 73, and Kathleen Ann Johnson, 73, all of Jackson, who were all transported to Windom Area Health and died as a result of their injuries. Lindsey Kay Rossow, 47, of Lakefield, also reportedly died at the scene.

Sustaining life-threatening injuries in the crash were: Kassandra Lynn Ambrose, 44, of Jackson, was transported to CentraCare-Redwood Hospital; and Eric Charles Rossow, 54, of Lakefield, who was flown to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Individuals listed as having non-life-threatening injuries were Nolan Eric Ambrose, 19, and Kristin Kathleen Hanson, 44, both of Jackson, who were taken to CentraCare-Redwood Hospital; Andria Elizabeth Benson, 20, of Jackson, who was taken to Sanford Jackson Medical Center; and Schultz, Brett Eric Rossow, 20, of Jackson, and Karlee Kristine Rossow, 23, and Keylee Kathleen Rossow, 25, both of Lakefield, who were all transported to Windom Area Health. 

The Cottonwood and Redwood County Sheriff's Offices, Sanborn Fire Department and ambulance services from Windom, Lamberton, Westbrook and Springfield — as well as North Aircare -- all assisted at the scene.

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Multiple GoFundMe pages have been set up in the aftermath of the Friday Cottonwood County crash that resulted in five deaths.

A page supporting Kristin Hansen and her family as she recovers from injuries sustained in the crash is located at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-kristin-hansen-family.

A page for Matt Schultz, a friend of family members who were passengers in the Transit Van he was driving, has also been created. Schultz is recovering from injuries and the loss of several dear friends he was set to celebrate with. That page is at Fundraiser for Chris Macek by Tessa Prochaska : Standing with Matt Schultz in His Recovery

A GoFundMe for the Ambrose Family is supporting Kassie Ambrose, who sustained life-threatening injuries and is currently receiving care. She has had lengthy surgeries already. Her son, Nolan, was also in the vehicle. That page is located at Fundraiser for Jeremy Ambrose by Traci Valen : Support for Kassie’s Family After Tragic Accident

Also established is a GoFundMe page in memory of Lindsey Rossow and to support Eric Rossow, who was airlifted to Sioux Falls with life-threatening injuries. The fund also assists their children, Brett, Karlee, and Keylee, who were also in the van and are recovering from their injuries. That page is at Fundraiser by Becky Benson : Support Eric and His Kids After Accident

Additionally, a GoFundMe page has been created in memory of Kelly Hargus, a member of the Jackson community who died as a result of the crash. The fund assists with memorial costs and supporting her loved ones during this time. That page is located at Fundraiser for Paul Hargus by Traci Valen : Support for the Hargus Family After Tragedy