By Patrick Tepoorten

Two North Branch teenagers are recovering today, and a person is dead after a Tuesday night crash on Interstate 35 near County Road 17.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Kayleigh E. Metz, 17, of North Branch, was driving southbound on I-35 with passenger Jessica L. Manning, 17, of North Branch, when an attempted lane change caused Metz to lose control of her 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier.

The vehicle crossed the median and the northbound lanes of I-35, striking a car driven by Diane M. Ertz, 59, of Pine City. The State Patrol is reporting that Ertz was wearing a seat-belt at the time of the crash, and the airbag in her 1996 Honda Accord had been deployed.

It is unknown at this time if Metz and Manning were wearing seat belts. Air-bags were deployed in the vehicle.

The accident, which occurred just before 8 p.m. Tuesday night, proved fatal for Ertz, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Both North Branch teenagers were transported to Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center in Wyoming for non-serious, non-life threatening injuries.

Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in the crash.

Comment from Geneva Barker, 12/21/06

De De was a woman with a fun loving spirit and a heart of gold. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her and loved her. Our love goes out to her family. May God bless her family and keep them in His care during this troubling time. With love, Jim and Geneva Barker (Lutroe) and Ashley.

Comment from Fran Johnson, 12/22/06

I really think teenagers need to pay more attention when they are driving. The distractions such as stereos blasting, friends in the car all put them and others on the road at great risk. I am sorry for the Ertz family.