Man dies in head-on crash north of Leader

A Little Falls man is dead and a juvenile male seriously injured following a two-vehicle head-on crash near Leader the morning of Sept. 9.

The incident occurred along 76th Ave SW (Cty Rd. 103) at 6:53 a.m.

Deputies and responders at the scene found the driver of a 2011 Honda IEX, Erik Mathison, 42, deceased at the scene, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

A juvenile male from that vehicle was transported via AirCare to North Memorial Hospital for unknown injuries. 

The driver of the other vehicle, a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup, was identified as Steven Longworth, 19, of Staples. He and his passenger, 22-year-old Jessy Frie of Motley, were treated at Lakewood Health System Hospital in Staples for non-life threatening injuries. The investigation continues with the assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol.

Others assisting at the scene were Motley Fire and Rescue; and Staples Ambulance.